[1] It forms a pair with the larger crater Delisle to the north, has a wide inner wall and a low central rise.
It is centered at selenographic coordinates 31.0° N, 32.0° W, and has a maximum diameter of 150 km.
Several tiny craters north of Diophantus have been assigned names by the IAU.
The crater Samir has bright rays that extend for over 70 km.
By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Diophantus.
Diophantus area (top right) in selenochromatic format holding some normal (yellow)/pyroclastic(red) selenochromatic landmarks
Oblique view of Diophantus from
Apollo 17
, at low sun angle, with the smaller Diophantus C at left.
High-resolution view of dark streaks in the wall of Diophantus, showing downslope movement of buried subsurface deposits.
The craters Delisle (above) and Diophantus (below) from
Apollo 15
.
Mons Delisle
is to the left of Delisle, and Rima Diophantus lies between Delisle and Diophantus. Note also bright rays extending from the tiny crater Samir.
High-resolution image of Samir (left) and Louise from Apollo 15 panoramic camera.
