The South Pole-Aitken Basin and the South Polar Region

The South Pole-Aitken Basin is the most prominent feature of the far side. Centered at 54° south latitiude and 169° west longitude, its rim extends from 15° south latitude (just south of the Korolev Basin) to beyond the South Pole of the Moon, at 80°south latitude, over on the near side. The crater Aitken is not especially notable in itself; it simply happens to be near the rim of the basin, opposite the South Pole (also near the rim), and so both Aitken and the pole are convenient references.