Menelaus (crater)

Menelaus is a young lunar impact crater located on the south shore of Mare Serenitatis near the eastern end of the Montes Hæmus mountain range. To the southwest is the small Auwers crater, and to the southwest is the even smaller Daubrée crater. To the northeast is a faint rille system named the Rimae Menelaus.

The wall of Menelaus crater is slightly irregular in outline, with a high, sharp rim and terraced inner walls. The interior has a high albedo that is prominent under high sun angles. There are several ridges on the floor. It also has a moderate ray system, with the most prominent ray aligned to the north-northeast across the Mare Serenitatis. The location of this ray and slightly off-center central peak suggest an impact at a relatively low angle.

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 Menelaus crater.

The following craters have been renamed by the IAU.

• Menelaus S – See Daubrée crater.