From the Earth this crater is seen from the edge, and it lies in perpetual darkness.

No craters of note overlie the rim, although some formations may be attached to the southern and western edges.

The crater was identified by Jean-Luc Margot and Donald B. Campbell who jointly proposed the name to the International Astronomical Union.

The name, honoring the Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache, was adopted by the IAU in 2000.

[2] In April 2023, a smaller crater on the floor of de Gerlache was named Brill by the IAU.