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List of plains on the Moon

None

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The Moon has numerous named plains on its surface made of dark-appearing basaltic rocks. The plains are visibly prominent on the near side of the Moon because of their contrasting appearance from the surrounding lunar highlands, which are made up of anorthosite, an igneous rock containing significant concentrations of highly reflective plagioclase feldspar minerals. As with other topographical features on the Moon, the official nomenclature for lunar plains uses a Latin naming system. Due to their darker appearance, differing elevation from the highlands, and visual prominence, noted ancient Greek astronomers such as Plutarch believed the plains were water; subsequent astronomers such as Galileo Galilei and Michael van Langren built on this belief, using Latin words for water bodies in classifying them. The Latin classifications for lunar plains are oceanus (), mare (), lacus (), palus (), and sinus (). The largest plain is Oceanus Procellarum (**), covering much of the western half of the Moon's near side and the only plain to be classified as an oceanus. Most other prominent plains on the near side are the lunar maria, while the Moon's lacūs, sinūs, and paludes are generally smaller and less visually prominent.

The classification of and other designations for lunar geographic features are determined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)—the official international organization for the standardization of astronomy.

= List/explain those misidentified/unofficial

https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/links.html https://web.archive.org/web/20030722015149/http://lunar.arc.nasa.gov/science/atlas/mare/mare.htm https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/moon1to1mShadedRelief?map=lo == error https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Moon1to1MAtlas https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Images https://data.lroc.im-ldi.com/lroc/view_rdr/WAC_GLOBAL

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Geology

In its early stages of formation, the Moon's surface was largely molten, with its deep ocean of magma persisting for roughly tens of millions to hundreds of millions of years. After the cooling of the magma at the end of this period, minerals began to crystallize and differentiate, with heavier minerals sinking into the Moon's inner layers while the lighter, highly-reflective mineral of plagioclase feldspar rose to the surface and fused with other light, mafic-type crystals to form anorthosite rocks. The anorthosite accumulated to become an early stage of the Moon's outer crust. This early outer crust later became heavily bombarded by immense numbers of meteoroids and other solar system debris around 4 billion years ago, with substantial parts of the surface being blasted out to create craters and large basins. Millions of years after these massive impact basins formed, lava from the interior flowed up to the surface through cracks in the crust and filled the basins. The lava cooled into the dark, volcanic rock basalt, creating the lunar plains of today.

Currently, basaltic rock, which is also fine-grained and rich in iron, magnesium, and plagioclase feldspar, makes up most of the lunar plains' composition. As with the distribution of the lunar plains, basalt is also not uniformly distributed over the surface of the Moon, with approximately 26% of the Moon's near side and only 2% of its far side composed of basalt.

Because the Moon has no wind, water, or active volcanoes,

the lunar plains do not experience regular notable changes, with most changes stemming from new meteoroids and other debris that hit the surface.

= List/explain those features that are similarish to "lunar plains" but are not included on this list (Planitia Descensus, Reiner Gamma, etc.)

Breccia: The Smashed-Up Rock After the lunar surface cooled and hardened, an onslaught of solar system debris rained down on it and . Lunar sample ages suggest this period of heavy and violent impacts took place about 4 billion years ago. Since then, impacts have continued to shape the face of the Moon. Small ones still scar its surface today.

A breccia is made of irregularly shaped pieces of other rocks. Through time, meteorites crashing into the Moon have smashed, shattered, and shocked the surface, crushing and melting rock fragments together. Most highland rocks are breccias, which shows how widespread and important this process is on the Moon.

The Crisium basin is about 700 kilometers (430 miles) in diameter and is one of the many large circular lunar depressions. These basins or craters are formed by the collisions of very large meteoroids with the Moon.

Nomenclature

The modern system of Latin-based lunar nomenclature began in 1651, when Italian astronomer and Catholic priest Giovanni Battista Riccioli published Almagestum Novum, an encyclopedic work in which he and fellow Italian priest and scientist Francesco Maria Grimaldi created a detailed map of the lunar near side's surface. In the book, Riccioli introduced a system differentiating lunar topography into three categories, with dark plains comprising one category and given Latin labels for bodies of water together with poetic, abstract names. Riccioli's system was used significantly in Europe in the succeeding centuries and became the basis for the current global standard in 1935, when the IAU adopted much of Riccioli's names and conventions. Since the current IAU nomenclature rules were affirmed in 1973, new names for lunar plains have been restricted to Latin terms that describe weather and other abstract concepts. Currently, there are 5 lunar plains' names referring to sea features, 5 indicating sea attributes, and 5 expressing states of mind.

Of plains inscribed prior to 1973 by the IAU, there are four that carry non-abstract names: Mare Humboldtianum and Mare Smythii, named for German natural historian Alexander von Humboldt and British astronomer William Henry Smyth, respectively; Mare Moscoviense, named for Muscovy, a historical predecessor of Russia; and Sinus Lunicus, named for the Soviet space probe Luna 2 ( Lunik 2), which landed there in 1959. Because Mare Humboldtianum and Mare Smythii were established before the final nomenclature, they were maintained and not required to follow the name conventions. In the case of Mare Moscoviense, which was discovered by the Luna 3 and whose name was proposed by the Soviet Union, it was only accepted by the IAU with the justification that Moscow is a 'state of mind'. Official astronomical names and designations are decided and registered by the IAU, which reviews proposed and

Following its founding in 1919, has official

Complete lede: = Say how IAU approves official names and designations = How many features have been approved since IAU founding in 1919

singular lacus
plural lacūs

sinus sinus

lacus & sinus are pronounced the same in English???

paludes palus

palūs, palūdēs

  • L. E. Andersson and Ewen A. Whitaker, NASA Catalogue of Lunar Nomenclature, NASA RP-1097, 1982, no ISBN.
  • Ben Bussey and Paul Spudis, The Clementine Atlas of the Moon, Cambridge University Press, 2004, .
  • Antonín Rükl, Atlas of the Moon, Kalmbach Books, 1990, .
  • Ewen A. Whitaker, Mapping and Naming the Moon, Cambridge University Press, 1999, .
unofficial

There was also a region on the Lunar farside that was briefly misidentified as a mare and named Mare Desiderii (Sea of Desire). It is no longer recognized.

Other former maria include:

  • Mare Parvum ("Small Sea"), immediately to the east of Inghirami

  • Mare Novum ("New Sea"), northeast of Plutarch

  • Mare Incognitum ("Unknown Sea")

  • Mare Struve ("Struve's Sea"), near Messala

Some sources also list a Palus Nebularum (Latin palūs nebulārum "Marsh of Mists") at 38.0° N, 1.0° E, but the designation for this feature has not been officially recognized by the IAU.

unofficial: Sinus Gay-Lussac and Sinus Pietrosul - both in the Montes Carpatus

the Grimaldi crater by its darkened appearance may be misidentified as a small sea." Grimaldi's own article states, "The mare lava floor..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Gazetteer_of_Planetary_Nomenclature usgs Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature author

https://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/galileopalazzostrozzi/object/GiovanniBattistaRiccioliJAlmagestumNovumZoom.html https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Moon1to1MAtlas https://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar_resources/lc_dossier.pdf https://www.lpi.usra.edu/resources/mapcatalog/usgsTopo/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/pgm2016/pdf/7008.pdf https://www.iau.org/Iau/Science/What-we-do/FAQs.aspx?WebsiteKey=9e4eaea2-b0d6-4c4b-bd18-913a208b91be

https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categories - The Moon https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Rules - Naming Conventions https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Rules - Lunar Basins Naming Conventions https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/DescriptorTerms

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toponymy - geonyms https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_phrases_(full)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planitia_Descensus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiner_Gamma

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Module:Location_map/data/Moon/doc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map%2B https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Location_markers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map/Creating_a_new_map_definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:GeoTemplate/moon https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moon_texture.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Moon_texture.jpg/1080px-Moon_texture.jpg

Convert all these coords into DMS, preserve order and everything else: Convert these coordinates into this format, with each Mare name replacing INSERT_NAME: |align=right|

List

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Name
(in Latin)Name
(English translation)DiameterYearQuadranglesLunar coordinatesRefs.Mare AnguisMare AustraleMare CognitumMare CrisiumMare FecunditatisMare FrigorisMare HumboldtianumMare HumorumMare ImbriumMare IngeniiMare InsularumMare MarginisMare MoscovienseMare NectarisMare NubiumMare OrientaleMare SerenitatisMare SmythiiMare SpumansMare TranquillitatisMare UndarumMare VaporumOceanus ProcellarumLacus AestatisLacus AutumniLacus BonitatisLacus DolorisLacus ExcellentiaeLacus FelicitatisLacus GaudiiLacus HiemalisLacus LenitatisLacus LuxuriaeLacus MortisLacus OblivionisLacus OdiiLacus PerseverantiaeLacus SolitudinisLacus SomniorumLacus SpeiLacus TemporisLacus TenebrarumLacus TimorisLacus VerisPalus EpidemiarumPalus PutredinisPalus SomniSinus AestuumSinus AmorisSinus AsperitatisSinus ConcordiaeSinus FideiSinus HonorisSinus IridumSinus LunicusSinus MediiSinus RorisSinus SuccessusSinus Viscositatis
Serpent Sea145.99 kmLAC-44{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3664name=Mare Anguis}}
Southern Sea996.84 kmLAC-116{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3665name=Mare Australe}}
Sea that has become known350.01 kmLAC-76{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3670name=Mare Cognitum}}
Sea of Crises555.92 kmLAC-44{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3671name=Mare Crisium}}
Sea of Fecundity840.35 kmLAC-80{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3673name=Mare Fecunditatis}}
Sea of Cold1446.41 kmLAC-12{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3674name=Mare Frigoris}}
Sea of Humboldt230.78 kmLAC-15
Sea of Moisture419.67 kmLAC-93{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3677name=Mare Humorum}}
Sea of Showers1145.53 kmLAC-24{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3678name=Mare Imbrium}}
Sea of Cleverness282.20 kmLAC-119{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3679name=Mare Ingenii}}
Sea of Islands511.93 kmLAC-57{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3680name=Mare Insularum}}
Sea of the Edge357.63 kmLAC-63{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3681name=Mare Marginis}}
Sea of Muscovy275.57 kmLAC-48
Sea of Nectar339.39 kmLAC-79{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3683name=Mare Nectaris}}
Sea of Clouds714.50 kmLAC-94{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3684name=Mare Nubium}}
Eastern sea294.16 kmLAC-108{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3685name=Mare Orientale}}
Sea of Serenity674.28 kmLAC-42{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3686name=Mare Serenitatis}}
Sea of Smyth373.97 kmLAC-81
Foaming Sea143.13 kmLAC-62{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3690name=Mare Spumans}}
Sea of Tranquility875.75 kmLAC-61{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3691name=Mare Tranquillitatis}}
Sea of Waves244.84 kmLAC-62{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3693name=Mare Undarum}}
Sea of Vapors242.46 kmLAC-59{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3694name=Mare Vaporum}}
Ocean of Storms2592.24 kmLAC-38{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=4395name=Oceanus Procellarum}}
Lake of Summer86.39 kmLAC-74{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3202name=Lacus Aestatis}}
Lake of Autumn195.65 kmLAC-73{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3203name=Lacus Autumni}}
Lake of Goodness122.10 kmLAC-43{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3204name=Lacus Bonitatis}}
Lake of Sorrow102.90 kmLAC-41{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3205name=Lacus Doloris}}
Lake of Excellence197.74 kmLAC-110{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3206name=Lacus Excellentiae}}
Lake of Happiness98.48 kmLAC-41{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3207name=Lacus Felicitatis}}
Lake of Joy88.54 kmLAC-42{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3208name=Lacus Gaudii}}
Wintry Lake48.04 kmLAC-60{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3209name=Lacus Hiemalis}}
Lake of Softness78.25 kmLAC-60{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3210name=Lacus Lenitatis}}
Lake of Luxury50.61 kmLAC-50{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3211name=Lacus Luxuriae}}
Lake of Death158.78 kmLAC-26{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3212name=Lacus Mortis}}
Lake of Forgetfulness49.01 kmLAC-105{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3213name=Lacus Oblivionis}}
Lake of Hatred72.68 kmLAC-41{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3214name=Lacus Odii}}
Lake of Perseverance70.64 kmLAC-62{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3215name=Lacus Perseverantiae}}
Lake of Solitude122.67 kmLAC-100{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3216name=Lacus Solitudinis}}
Lake of Dreams424.76 kmLAC-26{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3217name=Lacus Somniorum}}
Lake of Hope76.67 kmLAC-28{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3218name=Lacus Spei}}
Lake of Time205.30 kmLAC-27{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3219name=Lacus Temporis}}
Lake of Darkness85.00 kmLAC-144{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=16415name=Lacus Tenebrarum}}
Lake of Fear153.65 kmLAC-111{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3220name=Lacus Timoris}}
Lake of Spring382.88 kmLAC-91{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=3221name=Lacus Veris}}
Marsh of Epidemics300.38 kmLAC-94{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=4565name=Palus Epidemiarum}}
Marsh of Decay180.45 kmLAC-41{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=4566name=Palus Putredinis}}
Marsh of Sleep163.45 kmLAC-61{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=4567name=Palus Somni}}
Seething Bay316.50 kmLAC-59{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5558name=Sinus Aestuum}}
Bay of Love189.10 kmLAC-43{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5559name=Sinus Amoris}}
Bay of Roughness219.14 kmLAC-78{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5561name=Sinus Asperitatis}}
Bay of Harmony159.03 kmLAC-61{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5562name=Sinus Concordiae}}
Bay of Trust70.70 kmLAC-41{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5563name=Sinus Fidei}}
Bay of Honor111.61 kmLAC-60{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5564name=Sinus Honoris}}
Bay of Rainbows249.29 kmLAC-24{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5565name=Sinus Iridum}}
Lunik Bay119.18 kmLAC-25
Bay of the center286.67 kmLAC-59{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5567name=Sinus Medii}}
Bay of Dew195.04 kmLAC-10{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5569name=Sinus Roris}}
Bay of Success126.65 kmLAC-62{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=5571name=Sinus Successus}}
Bay of Stickiness68.00 kmLAC-23{{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclatureid=16118name=Sinus Viscositatis}}

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Notes

References

References

  1. "Target: The Moon". [[USGS Astrogeology Research Program]].
  2. "Moon Formation".
  3. "Lunar Rocks". [[Smithsonian Institution]].
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  7. (26 September 2018). "Kievan Rus' and Muscovy Under the Riurikids". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Asian History.
  8. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
  9. (2023). "Luna 2 Becomes the First Human-Made Object to Impact on the Moon".
  10. (1961). "XIth General Assembly". [[International Astronomical Union]].
  11. (22 August 2012). "The name game". [[Nature Magazine]].
  12. Moore, Patrick. (1983). "The Guinness book of astronomy facts and feats". Guinness Superlatives Ltd.
  13. "Science Source - Riccioli's Moon map, 1651".
  14. "Astronomica Langrenus".
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  39. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
  40. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
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  42. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
  43. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
  44. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
  45. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
  46. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
  47. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
  48. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
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  64. {{Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
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