![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Capella_crater_AS16-M-0426.jpg/640px-Capella_crater_AS16-M-0426.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Capella (crater)
Lunar impact crater / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Capella is a lunar impact crater 49 km (30 mi) in diameter that lies to the north of the Mare Nectaris, in a rugged region with many small impact craters. It was named after Roman astronomer Martianus Capella.[1] It intrudes slightly into the eastern rim of the crater Isidorus, a feature only slightly smaller in diameter.
![]() Apollo 16 image | |
Coordinates | 7.6°S 34.9°E / -7.6; 34.9 |
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Diameter | 49 km |
Depth | 3,5 km |
Colongitude | 325° at sunrise |
Eponym | Martianus Capella |
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Theophilus-Nectaris_zone_Si.jpg/640px-Theophilus-Nectaris_zone_Si.jpg)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Isidorus_crater_Capella_crater_AS11-42-6232.jpg/640px-Isidorus_crater_Capella_crater_AS11-42-6232.jpg)
The wall of Capella is low but relatively thick and irregular, with a large promontory intruding on the south-eastern side. The crater is crossed by a deep rift, the Vallis Capella, which passes directly through Capella from the north rim through the southeast side of the wall, and extends out both sides for a combined distance of 110 kilometers. This feature was formed by a chain of craters. In the middle of the crater is a wide, round peak with a craterlet at the top. The western side of the crater is dotted with impact debris, forming clusters of small hills.