Davy (crater)

Davy is a small lunar crater that is located on the eastern edge of the Mare Nubium. It is overlaying the lava-flooded remains of the satellite crater 'Davy Y' to the east, a formation which contains a crater chain designated Catena Davy. To the southeast of Davy is the prominent Alphonsus crater.

The outer rim of Davy is low, and the interior has been partly inundated by lava flows in the past. The perimeter is somewhat polygonal in shape, especially in the western half, and the southeast rim has been overlain by the 'Davy A' crater. The later is bowl-shaped with a notch in the northern rim. The interior of Davy lacks a central peak, although there are some low central mounds and the rim of 'Davy Y' forms a low ridge leading from the northern outer rim.

Catena Davy

This linear string of 23 tiny craters runs from the mid-point of 'Davy Y' toward Ptolemaeus walled-basin, following a slightly curving course to the east-northeast. It is located at selenographic coordinates 11.0° S, 7.0° W, and has a diameter of 50 km.

This formation is not believed to be due to secondary cratering because it is not radial to a suitable source crater. The most likely cause is believed to be due to a single body that broke apart prior to impact due to tidal effects. High resolution images have demonstrated that the craters formed at about the same time since the ejecta from each crater does not overlay neighboring craters. However there are still some scientists who believe that this chain of craters may be volcanic in origin.

The members of this crater chain listed below have been assigned individual names by the IAU. However their position in the chain is not readily distinguished based on their official coordinates.

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 Davy crater.

External links

• Davy's Chain — Lunar Photo of the Day, January 27, 2004, Charles A. Wood.