Joliot is a large lunar impact crater that lies on the far side of the Moon, just past the eastern limb.

At this location it lies in a region of the surface that comes into sight during a favorable libration, although at such times it is viewed from the side.

The crater lies at the northern fringes of the lava-flooded region of the surface associated with Mare Marginis to the south.

Within the outer rim, the interior floor has been flooded in the past by basaltic lava, leaving a relatively flattened surface that has a lower albedo than the surrounding terrain and so appears darker.

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