Tycho Limb Shot!
Tycho crater is about 85 kilometers (53 miles) in diameter, and its central peak rises more than 2 kilometers (6,562 feet) above the crater floor. It is amazing to think that this giant crater formed within a few minutes! Imagine the view from Earth, a bright flash followed by several minutes of subsequent small impacts moving radially outwards as ejected material impacts much of the nearside. After the dust settles there is a glowing cauldron of impact melt 50 kilometers (31 miles) across. Then quite a show 3 to 4 days later as lunar material rains down on Earth, creating a spectacular meteor shower. Alas, no people were around 100 million years ago to enjoy the spectacle, but Cretaceous dinosaurs had a front row seat!
- Latitude: -43.3°
- Longitude: 348.78°
- Camera: NAC
- Image Width: 50.0 km
- Image(s): M1167178525LR
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