Impact crater

Schroter

A worn crater in the central near-side region, north of the Sinus Medii area. It is a subtler target than the major bright ray craters.

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

Begin with a wide field around the central lunar plains. Look for the broken outline under oblique illumination.

Finding the region

Look at 2.74° N, 6.98° W 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 Schroter in the atlas

IAU / USGS Gazetteer

Official feature record

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Approved name
Schroter
Feature classification
Crater, craters
Catalogue diameter
36.67 km
Centre latitude
2.74° N
Centre longitude
6.98° W
Name origin (Gazetteer)
Johann Hieronymus; German astronomer (1745-1816).

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 EratosthenesImpact crater

Eratosthenes

A sharply defined crater at the southwestern end of Montes Apenninus. It provides a useful landmark between the mountain chain and the plains farther west.

LROC photograph of PtolemaeusImpact crater

Ptolemaeus

A large, relatively smooth-floored crater near the centre of the visible lunar disc. Its broad outline is a useful landmark in the central highlands.

LROC photograph of Rima HyginusValley / rille / scarp

Rima Hyginus

A narrow linear feature crossing the small crater Hyginus near the centre of the near side. It is a more demanding target than the broad maria.

LROC photograph of CopernicusImpact crater

Copernicus

A prominent impact crater south of Mare Imbrium. It has terraced inner walls, central peaks and a broad field of ejecta.