Why it matters

Tycho gives the Moon section an instantly recognizable visual anchor.

What happenedA young bright lunar crater with a prominent ray system, visible even in a small telescope.
Why it mattersTycho gives the Moon section an instantly recognizable visual anchor.
How scientists knowGazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature; NASA Image and Video Library

Measurements and uncertainty

Diamètre85 km
Depth4.8 km
Ageabout 108 million years
StatutConfirmé
Coordinates43.300° S / 11.200° W
Record levelextended

Extended record: core parameters have an editorial baseline, while age, depth, and preservation still require primary-source review.

Profil scientifique

The crater has terraced walls, a central peak, and ejecta rays crossing much of the near side.

Data provenanceGazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature; NASA Image and Video Library

Galerie de reconstruction

Davantage de lectures visuelles du cratère

Si l'image vérifiée ne suffit pas, la fiche reçoit une reconstruction scientifique : non pas de la fantaisie à la place du fait, mais une hypothèse visuelle séparée des sources.

Palette du mondelunar graphite, silver, and cold shadow
Tycho's ray system emphasizes the crater's relative youth.
Aperçu visuel actuelPlaque de base : source, matériau orbital ou planche éditoriale où commence la lecture visuelle.
Reverse reconstructionmoving from the present trace back to the impact event
Chronological inversionreading the object from future state back through earlier layers
The present as an archive of the futuretreating today's profile as evidence for future analysis

Visual reconstruction

Reverse reconstruction → Chronological inversion → Bidirectional analysis → The present as an archive of the future

Chaque fiche doit avoir un aperçu visuel : image existante, source traitée esthétiquement ou reconstruction scientifique.

Reverse reconstructionmoving from the present trace back to the impact event
Chronological inversionreading the object from future state back through earlier layers
Bidirectional analysischecking past-to-present and present-to-past interpretations
The present as an archive of the futuretreating today's profile as evidence for future analysis

Historique de recherche

Named after Tycho Brahe, it has been studied visually, photographically, and by orbital missions.

Sources

CSVJSONTycho. Crater.world record. Last reviewed 2026-05-08.
Last reviewed
2026-05-08
Source baseline
Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature; NASA Image and Video Library
Uncertainty note
Extended record: core parameters have an editorial baseline, while age, depth, and preservation still require primary-source review.
Gazetteer of Planetary NomenclatureInternational Astronomical Union / USGSNASA Image and Video LibraryNASA

Education mode

Faits

  • The ray system is especially visible around full Moon.
  • The central peak rises roughly two kilometers above the floor.
Glossaryejecta, impact melt, breccia, central peak, erosion
Classroom questionWhich evidence separates an impact crater from a volcanic caldera?
CompareShackleton