AS16-122-19580(H)

Figure 149

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This vertical view of the crater King on the lunar far side was taken with the Apollo 16 Hasselblad camera. King, approximately 75 km in diameter and 4 km deep, is one of the most interesting features on the far side. It is a superb example of a youthful, large crater. It attracted much attention and was the object of numerous scientific studies (e.g., El-Baz, 1972b; Young, Brennan, and Wolfe, 1972). King is the freshest crater on the far side in its size range. Among its many interesting features are (1) a unique lobster-claw-like central peak, (2) a flat poollike area of dark material on the north rim believed to have once been molten, (3) a very-well-developed field of fine ejecta extending outward for approximately two crater diameters, and (4) a massive landslide on the southeast rim (see arrow). In this view the southern part of the central peak has a distinctly ropey appearance and is segmented parallel to the terraces of the adjacent crater wall. The low Sun illumination enhances the fine texture of King's ejecta. Northeast of King the ejecta mantles an old large crater and in the southwest corner of the picture it mantles a relatively smooth terra unit. The slightly raised plateau on which the crater is situated may be part of the ring of an old basin.   -F.E.-B.