Due to its location this feature appears foreshortened when viewed from the Earth, limiting the amount of detail that can be observed.

The crater lies to the northwest of the similar-sized walled plain Kästner, to the west of the Mare Smythii.

The southern rim has almost completely disintegrated, and forms a rolling surface that flows toward the south as an extended depression.

The crater pair of Weierstrass and Van Vleck have formed an indented rim along the northeast face, while the northwest rim is overlain by Gilbert S. The interior floor is relatively level with some low ridges running down the center toward the southern end.

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