Lucian is a tiny lunar impact crater that is located in the northeastern part of the Mare Tranquillitatis. It was named in 1973 after 2nd century Greek writer Lucian of Samosata.[2] The nearest named craters are Lyell to the east-southeast, Theophrastus to the northeast and Gardner to the north-northeast. A little farther to the north is Maraldi crater. Lucian was previously designated Maraldi B.

Lucian
Coordinates14°20′N 36°47′E / 14.34°N 36.78°E / 14.34; 36.78
Diameter6.85 km (4.26 mi)
Depth1.6 km (0.99 mi)[1]
Colongitude324° at sunrise
EponymLucian
The crater area in selenochromatic format
Oblique view from Apollo 15

This is a circular, cone-shaped formation with a negligible interior floor. It has not been significantly degraded by impact erosion.

References

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  1. ^ LTO-61A2 Lucian, Lunar Topographic Orthophotomap (LTO) Series, Publisher: Defense Mapping Agency, Scale: 1:250,000.
  2. ^ "Lucian (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
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