Impact crater

Aristoteles

A substantial northern crater near the eastern end of Mare Frigoris. Together with Eudoxus it forms an easily recognisable pair.

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Aristoteles and surrounding lunar terrain in the LROC Wide Angle Camera mosaic
Aristoteles · North up, east right. Open image ↗
NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University · LROC WAC mosaic via USGS. Regional map crop; lighting is fixed and does not follow the selected date.
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How to observe Aristoteles

Compare the two craters: their outlines, interiors and shadows differ even when the illumination is similar.

Finding the region

Look at 50.24° N, 17.32° E on the lunar disc. The chart marker identifies the catalogue centre. Start with a wide field and use the nearby formations below as landmarks.

Equipment & conditions

Start at low magnification to identify the rim. Move to a moderate power when the air is steady; low sunlight usually makes walls and floor relief easier to distinguish. A bright ray system can be more conspicuous near full Moon.

Lighting

For surface relief, try a time when the Sun is low over this region. To compare surface brightness and any bright rays, return under higher illumination. The atlas calculates the solar elevation at the formation’s centre for any selected date.

View Aristoteles in the atlas

IAU / USGS Gazetteer

Official feature record

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Approved name
Aristoteles
Feature classification
Crater, craters
Catalogue diameter
87.57 km
Centre latitude
50.24° N
Centre longitude
17.32° E
Name origin (Gazetteer)
Greek astronomer, philosopher (383-322 B.C.).

Coordinates are selenographic, with east-positive longitude. Dimensions are the Gazetteer’s catalogue values; for extended formations they do not represent a circular crater diameter. Data snapshot: 2026-09-16. Observing guidance above is separate from the official record.

Nearby formations

The four closest catalogue entries, measured from their centres.

LROC photograph of EudoxusImpact crater

Eudoxus

A northern highland crater immediately south of Aristoteles. Its terraced walls enclose an uneven floor.

LROC photograph of Vallis AlpesValley / rille / scarp

Vallis Alpes

The Alpine Valley cuts through Montes Alpes near the northeastern edge of Mare Imbrium. The main valley is much easier to detect than the narrow channel within it.

LROC photograph of Montes AlpesMountain range

Montes Alpes

A mountainous region along the northeastern border of Mare Imbrium. Vallis Alpes cuts a distinctive path through this terrain.

LROC photograph of Mare FrigorisSea / bay

Mare Frigoris

The Sea of Cold is an elongated dark belt across the northern near side. It links several useful northern landmarks.

1,446.4 kmRead guide ↗