COPERNICUS

The Copernicus crater as seen by Apollo 17. The terraces on the edge of the crater are clearly one of the most prominent craters on the Moon. It constitutes a classic example of a relatively young, well-preserved lunar impact crater. Located at 10 N, 20 W, Copernicus measures 93 km (58 miles) in diameter and is a source of radial bright rays (light-coloured streaks on the lunar surface). A photograph of the crater interior taken in 1966 by the U.S. probe Lunar Orbiter 2 shows terraced slumps on the crater wall that resemble giant stairs leading to the floor, 3.8 km (2.4 miles) below the rim crest. Peaked mountains rise from the centre of the crater to a height of 800 metres (2,625 feet); they probably were formed as a result of a rebound of deep-seated rocks at the site of impact.