Clavius is the third largest crater on the near side of the Moon and also one of the oldest lunar craters. Clavius measures about 225 km (140 miles) in diameter and was formed by an asteroid whose impact occurred about 4 billion years ago. Although it is well preserved, Clavius shows its age by many smaller craters within it formed by impacts that happened later.
Clavius is large enough to be seen with the naked eye and if by chance you were on your floor near the center would see only a plain because its walls ficarariam below the horizon due to curvature of the moon.
A few lunar observers who have not devoted more or less attention to this beautiful formation, one of the most remarkable objects to be seen by telescope. However despite familiar with its features, there is always something new to watch and admire as we examine the seemingly endless details due to the different angles of sunlight.
Almost three decades ago, Clavius crater exploded into the public consciousness as the site of a lunar colony - and monolith - in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. For astronomers, it stands out in a pile of other craters on a Full Moon area known as the "Southern Highlands".
The crater floor is slightly higher at the center than at the ends. So, if you catch the moon at the right stage with the sun illuminating Clavius well oblique way, you will see the lit floor with a shadow ring at the base of the east and west walls. This effect is accentuated by the high latitude Clavius near the southern limbo. It is especially remarkable with Clavius the terminator when the Moon is between 8 and 9 days old.
Overlapping the Clavius there are a number of smaller craters. The largest are Porter and Rutherford walls Northeast and Southeast, respectively; each has about 50 Km in diameter. A progressively smaller arc craters lies in Clavius floor. The largest is Clavius D is 29 km; others have 21 Km of diameters (ClaviusC) 13 Km (Clavius N) 12 Km (Clavius J). This chain of craters may be visible even in binoculars.
In the attached photo I highlighted with the yellow arrow of the smaller craters that can be seen (about 600 m in diameter) and using the Quick Map made a greatly expanded 3D projection to highlight it.
I hope the next time you observe the moon, if the lighting conditions are favorable not forget to do this exercise of looking observe smaller and smaller craters on the floor of lunar base and if you happen to observe a black monolith do not forget to let me know!
Sources:
Lake County Astronomical Society - Jack Kramer
Encyclopedia of Science
the-moon.wikispaces.com/ClaviusQuick Map - LROC / NASA
Research, adaptation and text: Avani Soares
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