is a
Lunar Crater that is located in the rugged southern highlands of the
Moon 's near side. It lies directly to the south of the
Maurolycus Crater , and southeast of
Barocius Crater . Just to the southwest is
Cuvier Crater .
This crater has been eroded and damaged by subsequent impacts, particularly in the southern half of the formation. The satellite crater 'Clairaut A' lies across the southeastern rim. The southern rim has been modified by several small craters, including 'Clairaut B'. On the southeastern interior floor is the small crater 'Clairaut C'. In the northern part of the floor is a merged crater pair 'Clairaut D'. 'Clairaut E' is attached to the exterior of the northwest rim.
The inner wall of Clairaut has been softened by impacts until now it forms a simple slope down to the relatively flat floor, at least where the floor has not been marked by impacts. There is a minor inward bulge along the inner wall to the west-northwest.
By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater mid-point that is closest to Clairaut crater.
