Ariadaeus (crater)

Ariadaeus is a small, bowl-shaped lunar impact crater on the western shores of Mare Tranquillitatis. It lies to the north of Dionysius crater, and to the west-southwest of Arago crater. The crater is joined along the northeast rim by the slightly smaller 'Ariadaeus A', and the two form a double-crater.

Rimae Ariadaeus from Apollo 10. NASA photo.

This crater marks the eastern extent of the rille designated Rima Ariadaeus. This wide rille extends in a nearly straight line to the west-northwest, passing just to the north of the Silberschlag crater. Other rille systems lie in the vicinity, including the Rimae Ritter to the southeast and Rimae Sosigenes to the northeast.

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 Ariadaeus crater.