Aitken (crater)

Aitken is a large lunar impact crater that lies on the far side of the Moon. It is located to the southeast of the Heaviside crater, and north of the unusual Van de Graaff crater formation. Attached to the southwest rim is the Vertregt crater. To the southeast is the smaller Bergstrand crater.

The inner wall of Aitken is terraced, and varies notably in width with the narrowest portion in the southwest. The crater 'Aitken Z' lies across the inner north wall. Just to the north of the rim is the small crater 'Aitken Z', which is surrounded by an ejecta blanket of lighter albedo material. The interior floor has been resurfaced in the past by a darker albedo lava flow, especially in the southern half. There are also a number of tiny crater impacts on the floor.

Satellite craters

By convention these features are identified on Lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater mid-point that is closest to Aitken crater.