copernicus is visible using binoculars, and is located slightly northwest of the center of the moon's earth-facing hemisphere. south of the crater is the mare insularum, and to the south-south west is the crater reinhold. north of copernicus are the montes carpatus, which lie at the south edge of mare imbrium. west of copernicus is a group of dispersed lunar hills. due to its relative youth, the crater has remained in a relatively pristine shape since it formed.