Astrophotography

by Matthew Earnshaw

This image shows the area to the East of "Mare Nectaris" (Sea of Nectar) located on the Eastern side of the moon.

Mare Nectaris: At 101,000 sq km, Mare Nectaris is one of the smaller lunar 'seas'. A lunar 'sea' is actually a dark iron rich volcanic plain.

Theophillus: Eratosthenian (3.2 - 1.1 billion years old). Dimension: 104x140x4km. It's central mountain is 400 metres high.

Cyrillus: Nectarian (3.92 - 3.85 billion years old). Dimension: 100x100x?km Notice Cyrillus A under the 'r' on the label.

Albategnius: Nectarian (3.92 - 3.85 billion years old). Dimension: 139x139x?km. Large flat floor. Central mountain.

Hipparchus: Pre-Nectarian (4.55 billions years - 3.92 billions years old). Dimension: 155x155x?km. Degraded remnant of a crater. Labelled also are two of its satellite craters, C & L.

Horrocks: Eratosthenian (3.2 - 1.1 billion years old). Dimension: 31x31x3km. Circular formation situated on the floor of Hipparchus. Steep slopes to the North. High walls with terraces.

Click image to view large version with labels and scale, or view lunar page 2