Impact crater

Posidonius

A large crater on the northeastern margin of Mare Serenitatis. Its fractured floor is easier to distinguish under low sunlight.

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Posidonius and surrounding lunar terrain in the LROC Wide Angle Camera mosaic
Posidonius · 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 Posidonius

Identify the outer rim first. Interior ridges and fine channels require steadier air and more aperture than the main outline.

Finding the region

Look at 31.88° N, 29.99° 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 Posidonius in the atlas

IAU / USGS Gazetteer

Official feature record

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Approved name
Posidonius
Feature classification
Crater, craters
Catalogue diameter
95.06 km
Centre latitude
31.88° N
Centre longitude
29.99° E
Name origin (Gazetteer)
Of Apamea; Greek geographer (135(?)-51(?) 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 Mare SerenitatisSea / bay

Mare Serenitatis

The Sea of Serenity is a rounded dark plain in the northern near side. Its shape is easy to recognise among the connected lunar maria.

LROC photograph of EudoxusImpact crater

Eudoxus

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

LROC photograph of HerculesImpact crater

Hercules

A northern crater paired with Atlas. Their proximity makes them a useful comparison target during the same observing session.

LROC photograph of Montes CaucasusMountain range

Montes Caucasus

A mountain group between Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis. It forms a useful bridge between two major lunar plains.