Origin of Name
The crater is named after Masha'allah ibn Atharī (c.740-d.815 AD), a Persian Jewish astrologer and astronomer from the city of Basra (now located in modern day Iraq) who was the leading astrologer of the late 8th century. Masha'allah was one of the most prominent members of the commission which determined for the Caliph al-Mansur (A.D. 754-775) that the propitious moment for the founding of Baghdad fell on 30 July 762
| Messala | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 36.6° N | 53.8° E | 26 km |
| B | 37.4° N | 59.9° E | 18 km |
| C | 40.9° N | 65.8° E | 12 km |
| D | 40.5° N | 67.8° E | 28 km |
| E | 40.0° N | 64.9° E | 40 km |
| F | 38.9° N | 64.4° E | 32 km |
| G | 39.1° N | 68.6° E | 29 km |
| J | 41.1° N | 61.2° E | 15 km |
| K | 41.1° N | 58.5° E | 13 km |
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