Lyot is a large lunar impact crater that is located along the southeastern limb of the Moon. It lies within the irregular and patchy lunar mare named Mare Australe, and to the south of the crater Hamilton. Due to its location, this formation is viewed at a low angle from the Earth, and its visibility is affected by libration.

Lyot
Apollo 15 image
Coordinates49°48′S 84°30′E / 49.8°S 84.5°E / -49.8; 84.5
Diameter132 km
DepthUnknown
Colongitude279° at sunrise
EponymBernard F. Lyot
LRO mosaic

The interior floor of this crater has been resurfaced by lava, leaving a dark interior with an albedo that matches the surrounding mare. The outer rim is low and heavily worn, with a perimeter that forms a somewhat distorted circle. The southwest part of the floor and rim is marked by several small, bowl-shaped craters. There is also the remains of a ghost crater to the east of the crater midpoint.

Satellite craters

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By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Lyot.

Lyot Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 49.0° S 79.6° E 38 km
B 50.4° S 82.2° E 9 km
C 50.4° S 80.4° E 17 km
D 51.6° S 82.2° E 14 km
E 52.0° S 82.9° E 13 km
F 52.3° S 82.8° E 21 km
H 51.4° S 78.2° E 63 km
L 54.4° S 83.1° E 70 km
M 53.3° S 86.2° E 24 km
N 52.8° S 83.4° E 12 km
P 47.7° S 85.0° E 13 km
R 46.1° S 87.6° E 30 km
S 46.0° S 85.6° E 26 km
T 46.8° S 78.6° E 8 km

References

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  • Wood, Chuck (2007-01-08). "A Dome on the Limb". Lunar Photo of the Day. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-01-08.