Collins is a tiny
lunar impact crater
An impact crater is a depression (geology), depression in the surface of a solid astronomical body formed by the hypervelocity impact event, impact of a smaller object. In contrast to volcanic craters, which result from explosion or internal c ...
located on the southern part of the
Mare Tranquillitatis
Mare Tranquillitatis (Latin for Sea of Tranquillity or Sea of Tranquility) is a lunar mare that sits within the Tranquillitatis basin on the Moon. It contains Tranquility Base, the first location on another celestial body to be visited by huma ...
. It is located about 25 kilometers to the north of the
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was a spaceflight conducted from July 16 to 24, 1969, by the United States and launched by NASA. It marked the first time that humans Moon landing, landed on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module pilot Buzz Aldrin l ...
landing site,
Tranquility Base
Tranquility Base () is the site on the Moon where, in July 1969, humans landed and walked on a celestial body other than Earth for the first time. On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 crewmembers Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed their Apollo Lunar Mo ...
. Named after American astronaut
Michael Collins, the crater is the central member of the row of three craters named in honor of the
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was a spaceflight conducted from July 16 to 24, 1969, by the United States and launched by NASA. It marked the first time that humans Moon landing, landed on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module pilot Buzz Aldrin l ...
crew members. About 15 kilometers to the west-northwest is the landing site of the
Surveyor 5 lunar probe.
This crater was previously identified as Sabine D before being renamed by the
IAU
The International Astronomical Union (IAU; , UAI) is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects, including promoting astronomical research, outreach, education, and developmen ...
.
Sabine
The Sabines (, , , ; ) were an Italic people who lived in the central Apennine Mountains (see Sabina) of the ancient Italian Peninsula, also inhabiting Latium north of the Anio before the founding of Rome.
The Sabines divided int ...
itself is to the west of Collins.
See also
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Armstrong (crater)
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Aldrin (crater)
External links
Lunar Orbiter 2 Image 76 showing Collins crater
Lunar Orbiter 5 Image 74 h2 showing Collins crater
References
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{{Craters on the Moon: C-F
Impact craters on the Moon
Apollo 11
Michael Collins (astronaut)