Alden (crater)

Alden is a lunar impact crater that lies on the far side of the Moon, between Hilbert to the north-northwest and Milne to the south-southeast. To the south-southwest lies Scaliger.^[2]

Alden has a low rim that is overlain in the north and northeast by Alden C and the smaller Alden E. The rim is worn and eroded, especially along the southern wall. The floor is somewhat irregular and pitted. The small crater Alden V lies just inside the north rim, and is attached to Alden C to the east.^[3]

This crater is named after American astronomer Harold Alden (1890 – 1964).^[4] Its designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1970.^[1] During the planning for the Apollo 8 mission that circled the Moon, this crater was informally referred to as 'See'.^[5]

Satellite craters

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Alden.

References

1. ^
2. ^ Byrne, Charles (2007). The Far Side of the Moon: A Photographic Guide. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-387-73206-0.
3. ^ Bussey, B. & Spudis, P. (2004). The Clementine Atlas of the Moon. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-81528-4.
4. ^ Menzel, D. H. (February 1971). "Lunar nomenclature Final report". NASA Contractor Report, NGR-22-007-194. Bibcode:1971ntrs.rept09151M. Retrieved 2026-05-09.
5. ^ Wood, Charles A. (September 9, 2007). "The Lunar Craters Houston, Florida and Texas". Lunar Photo of the Day. Retrieved 2026-05-09.

Sources

• Price, Fred W. (1988). The Moon Observer's Handbook. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-33500-3.
• Rükl, Antonín (1990). Atlas of the Moon. Kalmbach Books. ISBN 978-0-913135-17-4.
• Wlasuk, Peter T. (2000). Observing the Moon. Springer. ISBN 978-1-85233-193-1.