List of lunar features

The surface of the Moon has many features, including mountains and valleys, craters, and maria—wide flat areas that look like seas from a distance but are probably solidified molten rock. Some of these features are listed.

Valleys

Several large lunar valleys have been given names. Most of them are named after a nearby crater; see the list of craters on the Moon for more information.

Valley Coordinates Dimension Eponym Crater
Vallis Alpes 48.5°N 3.2°E / 48.5; 3.2 166 km Latin name meaning "Alpine valley" None
Vallis Baade 45.9°S 76.2°W / -45.9; -76.2 203 km Walter Baade Baade
Vallis Bohr 12.4°N 86.6°W / 12.4; -86.6 80 km Niels Bohr Bohr
Vallis Bouvard 38.3°S 83.1°W / -38.3; -83.1 284 km Alexis Bouvard None
Vallis Capella 7.6°S 34.9°E / -7.6; 34.9 49 km Martianus Capella Capella
Vallis Inghirami 43.8°S 72.2°W / -43.8; -72.2 148 km Giovanni Inghirami Inghirami
Vallis Palitzsch 26.4°S 64.3°E / -26.4; 64.3 132 km Johann Palitzsch Palitzsch
Vallis Planck 58.4°S 126.1°E / -58.4; 126.1 451 km Max Planck Planck
Vallis Rheita 42.5°S 51.5°E / -42.5; 51.5 445 km Anton Maria Schyrleus of Rheita Rheita
Vallis Schrödinger 67.0°S 105.0°E / -67.0; 105.0 310 km Erwin Schrödinger Schrödinger
Vallis Schröteri 26.2°N 50.8°W / 26.2; -50.8 168 km Johann Hieronymus Schröter Schröter
Vallis Snellius 31.1°S 56.0°E / -31.1; 56.0 592 km Willebrord Snell Snellius

Water features
Lunar nearside with major Lakr and craters labeled

Lunar maria (singular mare) are large, dark, regions of the Moon. They do not contain any water, but are believed to have been formed from molten rock from the Moon's mantle coming out onto the surface of the Moon. This list also includes the one oceanus and the features known by the names lacus, palus and sinus. The modern system of lunar nomenclature was introduced in 1651 by Riccioli.[1] Riccioli's map of the Moon was drawn by Francesco Maria Grimaldi, who has a crater named after him.[2]

Maria and Oceanus
Lunar Maria
Latin Name English Name Lat. Long. Diameter
Mare Anguis Serpent Sea 22.6° N 67.7° E 150 km
Mare Australe Southern Sea 38.9° S 93.0° E 603 km
Mare Cognitum Sea that has become known 10.0° S 23.1° W 376 km
Mare Crisium Sea of Crises 17.0° N 59.1° E 555 km
Mare Fecunditatis Sea of Fecundity 7.8° S 51.3° E 909 km
Mare Frigoris Sea of Cold 56.0° N 1.4° E 1596 km
Mare Humboldtianum Sea of Alexander von Humboldt 56.8° N 81.5° E 273 km
Mare Humorum Sea of Moisture 24.4° S 38.6° W 389 km
Mare Imbrium[3] Sea of Showers 32.8° N 15.6° W 1123 km
Mare Ingenii Sea of Cleverness 33.7° S 163.5° E 318 km
Mare Insularum Sea of Islands 7.5° N 30.9° W 513 km
Mare Marginis Sea of the Edge 13.3° N 86.1° E 420 km
Mare Moscoviense Sea of Muscovy 27.3° N 147.9° E 277 km
Mare Nectaris Sea of Nectar 15.2° S 35.5° E 333 km
Mare Nubium Sea of Clouds 21.3° S 16.6° W 715 km
Mare Orientale Eastern Sea 19.4° S 92.8° W 327 km
Mare Serenitatis Sea of Serenity 28.0° N 17.5° E 707 km
Mare Smythii Sea of William Henry Smyth 1.3° N 87.5° E 373 km
Mare Spumans Foaming Sea 1.1° N 65.1° E 139 km
Mare Tranquillitatis Sea of Tranquility 8.5° N 31.4° E 873 km
Mare Undarum Sea of Waves 6.8° N 68.4° E 243 km
Mare Vaporum Sea of Vapors 13.3° N 3.6° E 245 km
Oceanus Procellarum Ocean of Storms 18.4° N 57.4° W 2568 km

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

  • Mare Parvum[4] ("Small Sea"), immediately to the east of Inghirami
  • Mare Incognitum ("Unknown Sea")
  • Mare Novum[4] ("New Sea"), northeast of Plutarch
  • Mare Struve ("Struve's Sea"), near Messala

Lacus

A related set of features are the Lunar lacus (singular lacus, Latin for "lake"), which are smaller basaltic plains of similar origin:

Lunar Lacus
Latin Name English Name Lat. Long. Diameter
Lacus Aestatis Lake of Summer 15.0° S 69.0° W 90 km
Lacus Autumni Lake of Autumn 9.9° S 83.9° W 183 km
Lacus Bonitatis Lake of Goodness 23.2° N 43.7° E 92 km
Lacus Doloris Lake of Sorrow 17.1° N 9.0° E 110 km
Lacus Excellentiae Lake of Excellence 35.4° S 44.0° W 184 km
Lacus Felicitatis Lake of Happiness 19.0° N 5.0° E 90 km
Lacus Gaudii Lake of Joy 16.2° N 12.6° E 113 km
Lacus Hiemalis Lake of Winter 15.0° N 14.0° E 50 km
Lacus Lenitatis Lake of Softness 14.0° N 12.0° E 80 km
Lacus Luxuriae Lake of Luxury 19.0° N 176.0° E 50 km
Lacus Mortis Lake of Death 45.0° N 27.2° E 151 km
Lacus Oblivionis Lake of Forgetfulness 21.0° S 168.0° W 50 km
Lacus Odii Lake of Hatred 19.0° N 7.0° E 70 km
Lacus Perseverantiae Lake of Perseverance 8.0° N 62.0° E 70 km
Lacus Solitudinis Lake of Solitude 27.8° S 104.3° E 139 km
Lacus Somniorum Lake of Dreams 38.0° N 29.2° E 384 km
Lacus Spei Lake of Hope 43.0° N 65.0° E 80 km
Lacus Temporis Lake of Time 45.9° N 58.4° E 117 km
Lacus Timoris Lake of Fear 38.8° S 27.3° W 117 km
Lacus Veris Lake of Spring 16.5° S 86.1° W 396 km

Sinus and Paludes

A related set of features are the sinus (singular sinus, Latin for "bay") and paludes (singular palus, Latin for "marsh"):

Lunar Sinus and Paludes
Latin Name English Name Lat. Long. Diameter
Palus Epidemiarum Marsh of Epidemics 32.0° S 28.2° W 286 km
Palus Putredinis Marsh of Decay 26.5° N 0.4° E 161 km
Palus Somni Marsh of Sleep 14.1° N 45.0° E 143 km
Sinus Aestuum Seething Bay 10.9° N 8.8° W 290 km
Sinus Amoris Bay of Love 18.1° N 39.1° E 130 km
Sinus Asperitatis Bay of Roughness 3.8° S 27.4° E 206 km
Sinus Concordiae Bay of Harmony 10.8° N 43.2° E 142 km
Sinus Fidei Bay of Trust 18.0° N 2.0° E 70 km
Sinus Honoris Bay of Honor 11.7° N 18.1° E 109 km
Sinus Iridum Bay of Rainbows 44.1° N 31.5° W 236 km
Sinus Lunicus Lunik Bay 31.8° N 1.4° W 126 km
Sinus Medii Bay of the center 2.4° N 1.7° E 335 km
Sinus Roris Bay of Dew 54.0° N 56.6° W 202 km
Sinus Successus Bay of Success 0.9° N 59.0° E 132 km

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

Mountains

The heights of the isolated mountains or massifs listed here are not consistently reported across sources. In the 1960s, the US Army Mapping Service used elevation relative to 1,737,988 meters from the center of the Moon. In the 1970s, the US Defense Mapping Agency used 1,730,000 meters. The Clementine topographic data published in the 1990s uses 1,737,400 meters.

This list is not comprehensive, and does not list the highest places on the Moon. Clementine data show a range of about 18,100 meters from lowest to highest point on the Moon. The highest point, located on the far side of the Moon, is approximately 6500 meters higher than Mons Huygens (usually listed as the tallest mountain).

Name Lat./Long. Dia. Ht. Name Origin
Mons Agnes 18.66°N 5.34°E / 18.66; 5.34 0.65 km 0.03 km Greek feminine name
Mons Ampère 19.32°N 3.71°W / 19.32; -3.71 30 km 3.0 km André-Marie Ampère, physicist
Mons André 5.18°N 120.56°E / 5.18; 120.56 10 km   French masculine name
Mons Ardeshir 5.03°N 121.04°E / 5.03; 121.04 8 km   Ardeshir (Ardashir), Persian male name
Mons Argaeus 19.33°N 29.01°E / 19.33; 29.01 50 km   Mount Erciyes, Asia Minor
Mont Blanc 45.41°N 0.44°E / 45.41; 0.44 25 km 3.6 km Mont Blanc, the Alps
Mons Bradley 21.73°N 0.38°E / 21.73; 0.38 30 km 4.2 km James Bradley, astronomer
Mons Delisle 29.42°N 35.79°W / 29.42; -35.79 30 km   Named after nearby crater Delisle
Mons Dieter 5.00°N 120.30°E / 5.00; 120.30 20 km   German masculine name
Mons Dilip 5.58°N 120.87°E / 5.58; 120.87 2 km   Indian masculine name
Mons Esam 14.61°N 35.71°E / 14.61; 35.71 8 km   Arabic masculine name
Mons Ganau 4.79°N 120.59°E / 4.79; 120.59 14 km   African masculine name
Mons Gruithuisen Delta 36.07°N 39.59°W / 36.07; -39.59 20 km   Named after nearby crater Gruithuisen
Mons Gruithuisen Gamma 36.56°N 40.72°W / 36.56; -40.72 20 km   Named after nearby crater Gruithuisen
Mons Hadley 26.69°N 4.12°E / 26.69; 4.12 25 km 4.6 km John Hadley, inventor
Mons Hadley Delta 25.72°N 3.71°E / 25.72; 3.71 15 km 3.5 km Named after nearby Mount Hadley
Mons Hansteen 12.19°S 50.21°W / -12.19; -50.21 30 km   Named after nearby crater Hansteen
Mons Herodotus 27.50°N 52.94°W / 27.50; -52.94 5 km   Named after nearby crater Herodotus
Mons Huygens 19.92°N 2.86°W / 19.92; -2.86 40 km 4.7 km Christiaan Huygens, astronomer
Mons La Hire 27.66°N 25.51°W / 27.66; -25.51 25 km 1.5 km Philippe de la Hire, astronomer
Mons Maraldi 20.34°N 35.50°E / 20.34; 35.50 15 km 1.3 km Named after nearby crater Maraldi
Mons Moro 11.84°S 19.84°W / -11.84; -19.84 10 km   Antonio Lazzaro Moro, Earth scientist
Mons Penck 10.0°S 21.74°E / -10.0; 21.74 30 km 4.0 km Albrecht Penck, geographer
Mons Pico 45.82°N 8.87°W / 45.82; -8.87 25 km 2. km Spanish for "peak"
Mons Piton 40.72°N 0.92°W / 40.72; -0.92 25 km 2.3 km El Pitón, a summit of Mount Teide, Tenerife
Mons Rümker 40.76°N 58.38°W / 40.76; -58.38 70 km 0.5 km Karl Ludwig Christian Rümker, astronomer
Mons Usov 11.91°N 63.26°E / 11.91; 63.26 15 km   Mikhail Usov, geologist
Mons Vinogradov[5] 22.35°N 32.52°W / 22.35; -32.52 25 km 1.4 km Aleksandr Pavlovich Vinogradov, chemist
Mons Vitruvius 19.33°N 30.74°E / 19.33; 30.74 15 km 2.3 km Named after nearby crater Vitruvius
Mons Wolff 16.88°N 6.80°W / 16.88; -6.80 35 km 3.5 km Baron Christian von Wolff, philosopher

Mountain ranges
Name Lat./Long. Dia. Name Origin
Montes Agricola 29.06°N 54.07°W / 29.06; -54.07 141 km Georgius Agricola, Earth scientist
Montes Alpes 48.36°N 0.58°W / 48.36; -0.58 281 km The Alps, Europe
Montes Apenninus 19.87°N 0.03°W / 19.87; -0.03 401 km The Apennine Mountains, Italy
Montes Archimedes 25.39°N 5.25°W / 25.39; -5.25 163 km Named after nearby crater Archimedes
Montes Carpatus 14.57°N 23.62°W / 14.57; -23.62 361 km The Carpathian Mountains, Europe
Montes Caucasus 37.52°N 9.93°E / 37.52; 9.93 445 km The Caucasus Mountains, Europe
Montes Cordillera 17.5°S 79.5°W / -17.5; -79.5 574 km Spanish for "mountain chain"
Montes Haemus 17.11°N 12.03°E / 17.11; 12.03 560 km Greek name for the Balkan Mountains
Montes Harbinger 26.89°N 41.29°W / 26.89; -41.29 90 km Harbingers of dawn on the crater Aristarchus
Montes Jura 47.49°N 36.11°W / 47.49; -36.11 422 km The Jura Mountains, Europe
Montes Pyrenaeus 14.05°S 41.51°E / -14.05; 41.51 164 km The Pyrenees Mountains, Europe
Montes Recti 48.3°N 19.72°W / 48.3; -19.72 90 km Latin for "straight range"
Montes Riphaeus 7.48°S 27.60°W / -7.48; -27.60 189 km Greek name for the Ural Mountains, Russia
Montes Rook 20.6°S 82.5°W / -20.6; -82.5 791 km Lawrence Rook, astronomer
Montes Secchi 2.72°N 43.17°E / 2.72; 43.17 50 km Named after nearby crater Secchi
Montes Spitzbergen 34.47°N 5.21°W / 34.47; -5.21 60 km Named after German for "sharp peaks" and for resemblance to the Spitsbergen islands
Montes Taurus 27.32°N 40.34°E / 27.32; 40.34 172 km Taurus Mountains, Asia Minor
Montes Teneriffe 47.89°N 13.19°W / 47.89; -13.19 182 km Tenerife island

Other features

The Moon's surface exhibits many other geological features. In addition to mountains, valleys, and impact craters, the following surface features have received names in the Lunar nomenclature, many of them named after a nearby crater or mountain.

The listed diameter for these features is the longest dimension that contains the entire geological formation. The latitudes and longitudes are in selenographic coordinates.

Albedo

These features have a high albedo compared to the surrounding terrain.

Name Coordinates Diameter Name Origin
Reiner Gamma 7.5°N 59.0°W / 7.5; -59.0 70.0 km After nearby crater Reiner

On the far side of the Moon there are unnamed albedo features on Mare Ingenii and Mare Marginis. These are located antipodal to the Mare Imbrium and Mare Orientale impact basins.

Catena

A catena is a chain of craters.

Name Coordinates Diameter Name Origin
Catena Abulfeda 16.9°S 17.2°E / -16.9; 17.2 219 km After nearby crater Abulfeda
Catena Artamonov 26.0°N 105.9°E / 26.0; 105.9 134 km After nearby crater Artamonov
Catena Brigitte 18.5°N 27.5°E / 18.5; 27.5 5 km French feminine name
Catena Davy 11.0°S 7.0°W / -11.0; -7.0 50 km After nearby crater Davy
Catena Dziewulski 19.0°N 100.0°E / 19.0; 100.0 80 km After nearby crater Dziewulski
Catena Gregory 0.6°S 129.9°E / -0.6; 129.9 152 km After nearby crater Gregory
Catena Humboldt 21.5°S 84.6°E / -21.5; 84.6 165 km After nearby crater Humboldt
Catena Krafft 15.0°N 72.0°W / 15.0; -72.0 60 km After nearby crater Krafft
Catena Kurchatov 37.2°N 136.3°E / 37.2; 136.3 226 km After nearby crater Kurchatov
Catena Leuschner 4.7°N 110.1°W / 4.7; -110.1 364 km After nearby crater Leuschner
Catena Littrow 22.2°N 29.5°E / 22.2; 29.5 10 km After nearby crater Littrow
Catena Lucretius 3.4°S 126.1°W / -3.4; -126.1 271 km After nearby crater Lucretius
Catena Mendeleev 6.3°N 139.4°E / 6.3; 139.4 188 km After nearby crater Mendeleev
Catena Michelson 1.4°N 113.4°W / 1.4; -113.4 456 km After nearby crater Michelson
Catena Pierre 19.8°N 31.8°W / 19.8; -31.8 9 km French masculine name
Catena Sumner 37.3°N 112.3°E / 37.3; 112.3 247 km After nearby crater Sumner
Catena Sylvester 81.4°N 86.2°W / 81.4; -86.2 173 km After nearby crater Sylvester
Catena Taruntius 3.0°N 48.0°E / 3.0; 48.0 100 km After nearby crater Taruntius
Catena Timocharis 29.0°N 13.0°W / 29.0; -13.0 50 km After nearby crater Timocharis
Catena Yuri 24.4°N 30.4°W / 24.4; -30.4 5 km Russian masculine name

Dorsa

These features are wrinkle-ridge systems commonly found on lunar maria.

Name Coordinates Dia. Name Origin
Dorsa Aldrovandi 24.0°N 28.5°E / 24.0; 28.5 136 km Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522–1605)
Dorsa Andrusov 1.0°S 57.0°E / -1.0; 57.0 160 km Nicolai Ivanovich Andrusov (1861–1924)
Dorsa Argand 28.1°N 40.6°W / 28.1; -40.6 109 km Emile Argand (1879–1940)
Dorsa Barlow 15.0°N 31.0°E / 15.0; 31.0 120 km William Barlow (1845–1934)
Dorsa Burnet 28.4°N 57.0°W / 28.4; -57.0 194 km Thomas Burnet (1635–1715)
Dorsa Cato 1.0°N 47.0°E / 1.0; 47.0 140 km Cato the Elder (234-149 B.C.)
Dorsa Dana 3.0°N 90.0°E / 3.0; 90.0 70 km James Dwight Dana (1813–1895)
Dorsa Ewing 10.2°S 39.4°W / -10.2; -39.4 141 km William Maurice Ewing (1906–1974)
Dorsa Geikie 4.6°S 52.5°E / -4.6; 52.5 228 km Sir Archibald Geikie (1835–1924)
Dorsa Harker 14.5°N 64.0°E / 14.5; 64.0 197 km Alfred Harker (1859–1939)
Dorsa Lister 20.3°N 23.8°E / 20.3; 23.8 203 km Martin Lister (1639–1712)
Dorsa Mawson 7.0°S 53.0°E / -7.0; 53.0 132 km Douglas Mawson (1882–1958)
Dorsa Rubey 10.0°S 42.0°W / -10.0; -42.0 100 km William Walden Rubey (1898–1974)
Dorsa Smirnov 27.3°N 25.3°E / 27.3; 25.3 156 km Sergei Sergeevich Smirnov (1895–1947)
Dorsa Sorby 19.0°N 14.0°E / 19.0; 14.0 80 km Henry Clifton Sorby (1826–1908)
Dorsa Stille 27.0°N 19.0°W / 27.0; -19.0 80 km Hans Stille (1876–1966)
Dorsa Tetyaev 19.9°N 64.2°E / 19.9; 64.2 176 km Mikhail Mikhailovich Tetyaev (1882–1956)
Dorsa Whiston 29.4°N 56.4°W / 29.4; -56.4 85 km William Whiston (1667–1752)

Dorsum

These features are wrinkle ridges commonly found on lunar mare.

Name Coordinates Dia. Name Origin
Dorsum Arduino 24.9°N 35.8°W / 24.9; -35.8 107 km Giovanni Arduino (1714–1795)
Dorsum Azara 26.7°N 19.2°E / 26.7; 19.2 105 km Félix Manuel de Azara (1746–1811)
Dorsum Bucher 31.0°N 39.0°W / 31.0; -39.0 90 km Walter Hermann Bucher (1889–1965)
Dorsum Buckland 20.4°N 12.8°E / 20.4; 12.8 380 km William Buckland (1784–1856)
Dorsum Cayeux 1.6°N 51.2°E / 1.6; 51.2 84 km Lucien Cayeux (1864–1944)
Dorsum Cloos 1.0°N 91.0°E / 1.0; 91.0 100 km Hans Cloos (1885–1951)
Dorsum Cushman 1.0°N 49.0°E / 1.0; 49.0 80 km Joseph Augustine Cushman (1881–1949)
Dorsum Gast 24.0°N 9.0°E / 24.0; 9.0 60 km Paul Werner Gast (1930–1973)
Dorsum Grabau 29.4°N 15.9°W / 29.4; -15.9 121 km Amadeus William Grabau (1870–1946)
Dorsum Guettard 10.0°S 18.0°W / -10.0; -18.0 40 km Jean-Etienne Guettard (1715–1786)
Dorsum Heim 32.0°N 29.8°W / 32.0; -29.8 148 km Albert Heim (1849–1937)
Dorsum Higazy 28.0°N 17.0°W / 28.0; -17.0 60 km Riad Higazy (1919–1967)
Dorsum Nicol 18.0°N 23.0°E / 18.0; 23.0 50 km William Nicol (1768–1851)
Dorsum Niggli 29.0°N 52.0°W / 29.0; -52.0 50 km Paul Niggli (1888–1953)
Dorsum Oppel 18.7°N 52.6°E / 18.7; 52.6 268 km Albert Oppel (1831–1865)
Dorsum Owen 25.0°N 11.0°E / 25.0; 11.0 50 km George Owen (1552–1613)
Dorsum Scilla 32.8°N 60.4°W / 32.8; -60.4 108 km Agostino Scilla (1639–1700)
Dorsum Termier 11.0°N 58.0°E / 11.0; 58.0 90 km Pierre-Marie Termier (1859–1930)
Dorsum Thera 24.4°N 31.4°W / 24.4; -31.4 7 km Greek feminine name
Dorsum Von Cotta 23.2°N 11.9°E / 23.2; 11.9 199 km Carl Bernard von Cotta (1808–1879)
Dorsum Zirkel 28.1°N 23.5°W / 28.1; -23.5 193 km Ferdinand Zirkel (1838–1912)

Promontorium

These features form a cape or headland on a mare.

Name Coordinates Dia. Name Origin
Promontorium Agarum 14.0°N 66.0°E / 14.0; 66.0 70 km Named from a cape in the Sea of Azov
Promontorium Agassiz 42.0°N 1.8°E / 42.0; 1.8 20 km Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz (1807–1873)
Promontorium Archerusia 16.7°N 22.0°E / 16.7; 22.0 10 km Named from a cape on the Black Sea
Promontorium Deville 43.2°N 1.0°E / 43.2; 1.0 20 km Charles Joseph Sainte-Claire Deville (1814–1876)
Promontorium Fresnel 29.0°N 4.7°E / 29.0; 4.7 20 km Augustin Jean Fresnel (1788–1827)
Promontorium Heraclides 40.3°N 33.2°W / 40.3; -33.2 50 km Heraclides Ponticus
Promontorium Kelvin 27.0°S 33.0°W / -27.0; -33.0 50 km William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824–1907)
Promontorium Laplace 46.0°N 25.8°W / 46.0; -25.8 50 km Pierre Simon Laplace (1749–1827)
Promontorium Taenarium 19.0°S 8.0°W / -19.0; -8.0 70 km Named from cape in Greece[6]

Rima

These features are lunar rilles.

Name Coordinates Dia. Name Origin
Rima Agatharchides 20.0°S 28.0°W / -20.0; -28.0 50 km Named from nearby crater Agatharchides
Rima Agricola 29.0°N 53.0°W / 29.0; -53.0 110 km Named from nearby Montes Agricola
Rima Archytas 53.0°S 3.0°E / -53.0; 3.0 90 km Named from nearby crater Archytas
Rima Ariadaeus 6.4°N 14.0°E / 6.4; 14.0 250 km Named from nearby crater Ariadaeus
Rima Billy 15.0°S 48.0°W / -15.0; -48.0 70 km Named from nearby crater Billy
Rima Birt 21.0°S 9.0°W / -21.0; -9.0 50 km Named from nearby crater Birt
Rima Bradley 23.8°N 1.2°W / 23.8; -1.2 161 km Named from nearby Mons Bradley
Rima Brayley 21.4°N 37.5°W / 21.4; -37.5 311 km Named from nearby crater Brayley
Rima Calippus 37.0°N 13.0°E / 37.0; 13.0 40 km Named from nearby crater Calippus
Rima Cardanus 11.4°N 71.5°E / 11.4; 71.5 175 km Named from nearby crater Cardanus
Rima Carmen 19.8°N 29.3°E / 19.8; 29.3 10 km Spanish feminine name
Rima Cauchy 10.5°N 38.0°E / 10.5; 38.0 140 km Named from nearby crater Cauchy
Rima Cleomedes 27.0°N 57.0°E / 27.0; 57.0 80 km Within crater Cleomedes
Rima Cleopatra 30.0°N 53.8°W / 30.0; -53.8 14 km Greek feminine name
Rima Conon 18.6°N 2.0°E / 18.6; 2.0 30 km Named from nearby crater Conon
Rima Dawes 17.5°N 26.6°E / 17.5; 26.6 15 km Named from nearby crater Dawes
Rima Delisle 31.0°N 32.0°W / 31.0; -32.0 60 km Named from nearby crater Delisle
Rima Diophantus 29.0°N 33.0°W / 29.0; -33.0 150 km Named from nearby crater Diophantus
Rima Draper 18.0°N 25.0°W / 18.0; -25.0 160 km Named from nearby crater Draper
Rima Euler 21.0°N 31.0°W / 21.0; -31.0 90 km Named from nearby crater Euler
Rima Flammarion 2.8°S 5.6°W / -2.8; -5.6 80 km Named from nearby crater Flammarion
Rima Furnerius 35.0°S 61.0°E / -35.0; 61.0 50 km Within crater Furnerius
Rima G. Bond 33.3°N 35.5°E / 33.3; 35.5 168 km Named from nearby crater G. Bond
Rima Galilaei 11.9°N 58.5°W / 11.9; -58.5 89 km Named from nearby crater Galilaei
Rima Gärtner 59.0°N 63.0°E / 59.0; 63.0 30 km Within crater Gärtner
Rima Gay-Lussac 13.0°N 22.0°W / 13.0; -22.0 40 km Named from nearby crater Gay-Lussac
Rima Hadley 25.0°N 3.0°E / 25.0; 3.0 80 km Named from nearby Mons Hadley
Rima Hansteen 12.0°S 53.0°W / -12.0; -53.0 25 km Named from nearby crater Hansteen
Rima Hesiodus 30.0°S 20.0°W / -30.0; -20.0 256 km Named from nearby crater Hesiodus
Rima Hyginus 7.4°N 7.8°E / 7.4; 7.8 219 km Named from nearby crater Hyginus
Rima Jansen 14.5°N 29.0°E / 14.5; 29.0 35 km Named from nearby crater Jansen
Rima Krieger 29.0°N 45.6°W / 29.0; -45.6 22 km Named from nearby crater Krieger
Rima Mairan 38.0°N 47.0°W / 38.0; -47.0 90 km Named from nearby crater Mairan
Rima Marcello 18.6°N 27.7°E / 18.6; 27.7 2 km Italian masculine name
Rima Marius 16.5°N 48.9°W / 16.5; -48.9 121 km Named from nearby crater Marius
Rima Messier 1.0°S 45.0°E / -1.0; 45.0 100 km Named from nearby crater Messier
Rima Milichius 8.0°N 33.0°W / 8.0; -33.0 100 km Named from nearby crater Milichius
Rima Oppolzer 1.7°S 1.0°E / -1.7; 1.0 94 km Named from nearby crater Oppolzer
Rima Réaumur 3.0°S 3.0°E / -3.0; 3.0 30 km Named from nearby crater Réaumur
Rima Reiko 18.6°N 27.7°E / 18.6; 27.7 2 km Japanese feminine name
Rima Rudolf 19.6°N 29.6°E / 19.6; 29.6 8 km German masculine name
Rima Schröter 1.0°N 6.0°W / 1.0; -6.0 40 km Named from nearby crater Schröter
Rima Sharp 46.7°N 50.5°W / 46.7; -50.5 107 km Named from nearby crater Sharp
Rima Sheepshanks 58.0°N 24.0°E / 58.0; 24.0 200 km Named from nearby crater Sheepshanks
Rima Siegfried 25.9°S 103.0°E / -25.9; 103.0 14 km German masculine name
Rima Suess 6.7°N 48.2°E / 6.7; 48.2 165 km Named from nearby crater Suess
Rima Sung-Mei 24.6°N 11.3°E / 24.6; 11.3 4 km Chinese feminine name
Rima T. Mayer 13.0°N 31.0°W / 13.0; -31.0 50 km Named from nearby crater T. Mayer
Rima Vladimir 25.2°N 0.7°W / 25.2; -0.7 14 km Slavic masculine name
Rima Wan-Yu 20.0°N 31.5°W / 20.0; -31.5 12 km Chinese feminine name
Rima Yangel' 16.7°N 4.6°E / 16.7; 4.6 30 km Named from nearby crater Yangel'
Rima Zahia 25.0°N 29.5°W / 25.0; -29.5 16 km Arabic feminine name

Rimae

These features are lunar rille systems.

Name Coordinates Dia. Name Origin
Rimae Alphonsus 14.0°S 2.0°W / -14.0; -2.0 80 km Within crater Alphonsus
Rimae Apollonius 5.0°N 53.0°E / 5.0; 53.0 230 km Named from nearby crater Apollonius
Rimae Archimedes 26.6°N 4.1°W / 26.6; -4.1 169 km Named from nearby crater Archimedes
Rimae Aristarchus 26.9°N 47.5°W / 26.9; -47.5 121 km Named from nearby crater Aristarchus
Rimae Arzachel 18.0°S 2.0°W / -18.0; -2.0 50 km Within crater Arzachel
Rimae Atlas 47.5°N 43.6°E / 47.5; 43.6 60 km Within crater Atlas
Rimae Bode 10.0°N 4.0°W / 10.0; -4.0 70 km Named from nearby crater Bode
Rimae Boscovich 9.8°N 11.1°E / 9.8; 11.1 40 km Within crater Boscovich
Rimae Chacornac 29.0°N 32.0°E / 29.0; 32.0 120 km Named from nearby crater Chacornac
Rimae Daniell 37.0°N 26.0°E / 37.0; 26.0 200 km Named from nearby crater Daniell
Rimae Darwin 19.3°S 69.5°W / -19.3; -69.5 143 km Named from nearby crater Darwin
Rimae Doppelmayer 25.9°S 45.1°W / -25.9; -45.1 162 km Named from nearby crater Doppelmayer
Rimae Focas 28.0°S 98.0°W / -28.0; -98.0 100 km Named from nearby crater Focas
Rimae Fresnel 28.0°N 4.0°E / 28.0; 4.0 90 km Named from nearby Promontorium Fresnel
Rimae de Gasparis 24.6°S 51.1°W / -24.6; -51.1 93 km Named from nearby crater de Gasparis
Rimae Gassendi 18.0°S 40.0°W / -18.0; -40.0 70 km Within crater Gassendi
Rimae Gerard 46.0°N 84.0°W / 46.0; -84.0 100 km Named from nearby crater Gerard
Rimae Goclenius 8.0°S 43.0°E / -8.0; 43.0 240 km Named from nearby crater Goclenius
Rimae Grimaldi 9.0°N 64.0°W / 9.0; -64.0 230 km Named from nearby crater Grimaldi
Rimae Hypatia 0.4°S 22.4°E / -0.4; 22.4 206 km Named from nearby crater Hypatia
Rimae Janssen 45.6°S 40.0°E / -45.6; 40.0 114 km Named from nearby crater Janssen
Rimae Kopff 17.4°S 89.6°W / -17.4; -89.6 41 km Named from nearby crater Kopff
Rimae Liebig 20.0°S 45.0°W / -20.0; -45.0 140 km Named from nearby crater Liebig
Rimae Littrow 22.1°N 29.9°E / 22.1; 29.9 115 km Named from nearby crater Littrow
Rimae Maclear 13.0°S 20.0°E / -13.0; 20.0 110 km Named from nearby crater Maclear
Rimae Maestlin 2.0°N 40.0°W / 2.0; -40.0 80 km Named from nearby crater Maestlin
Rimae Maupertuis 52.0°N 23.0°W / 52.0; -23.0 84 km Named from nearby crater Maupertuis
Rimae Menelaus 17.2°N 17.9°E / 17.2; 17.9 131 km Named from nearby crater Menelaus
Rimae Mersenius 21.5°S 49.2°W / -21.5; -49.2 84 km Named from nearby crater Mersenius
Rimae Opelt 13.0°S 18.0°W / -13.0; -18.0 70 km Named from nearby crater Opelt
Rimae Palmieri 28.0°S 47.0°W / -28.0; -47.0 150 km Named from nearby crater Palmieri
Rimae Parry 6.1°S 16.8°W / -6.1; -16.8 82 km Named from nearby crater Parry
Rimae Petavius 25.9°S 58.9°E / -25.9; 58.9 80 km Named from nearby crater Petavius
Rimae Pettit 23.0°S 92.0°W / -23.0; -92.0 450 km Named from nearby crater Pettit
Rimae Pitatus 28.5°S 13.8°W / -28.5; -13.8 94 km Named from nearby crater Pitatus
Rimae Plato 52.9°N 3.2°W / 52.9; -3.2 87 km Named from nearby crater Plato
Rimae Plinius 17.9°N 23.6°E / 17.9; 23.6 124 km Named from nearby crater Plinius
Rimae Posidonius 32.0°N 28.7°E / 32.0; 28.7 70 km Named from nearby crater Posidonius
Rimae Prinz 27.0°N 43.0°W / 27.0; -43.0 80 km Named from nearby crater Prinz
Rimae Ramsden 33.9°S 31.4°W / -33.9; -31.4 108 km Named from nearby crater Ramsden
Rimae Repsold 50.6°N 81.7°W / 50.6; -81.7 166 km Named from nearby crater Repsold
Rimae Riccioli 2.0°N 74.0°W / 2.0; -74.0 400 km Named from nearby crater Riccioli
Rimae Ritter 3.0°N 18.0°W / 3.0; -18.0 100 km Named from nearby crater Ritter
Rimae Römer 27.0°N 35.0°W / 27.0; -35.0 110 km Named from nearby crater Römer
Rimae Secchi 1.0°N 44.0°W / 1.0; -44.0 35 km Named from nearby crater Secchi
Rimae Sirsalis 15.7°S 61.7°W / -15.7; -61.7 426 km Named from nearby crater Sirsalis
Rimae Sosigenes 8.6°N 18.7°E / 8.6; 18.7 190 km Named from nearby crater Sosigenes
Rimae Sulpicius Gallus 21.0°N 10.0°E / 21.0; 10.0 90 km Named from nearby crater Sulpicius Gallus
Rimae Taruntius 5.5°N 46.5°E / 5.5; 46.5 25 km Named from nearby crater Taruntius
Rimae Theaetetus 33.0°N 6.0°E / 33.0; 6.0 50 km Named from nearby crater Theaetetus
Rimae Triesnecker 4.3°N 4.6°E / 4.3; 4.6 215 km Named from nearby crater Triesnecker
Rimae Vasco da Gama 10.0°N 82.0°E / 10.0; 82.0 60 km Named from nearby crater Vasco da Gama
Rimae Zupus 15.0°S 53.0°W / -15.0; -53.0 120 km Named from nearby crater Zupus

Rupēs

These are escarpments in the surface.

Name Coordinates Dia. Name Origin
Rupes Altai 24.3°S 22.6°E / -24.3; 22.6 427.0 km Altai Mountains
Rupes Boris 30.5°N 33.5°W / 30.5; -33.5 4.0 km Named from nearby crater Boris
Rupes Cauchy 9.0°N 37.0°E / 9.0; 37.0 120.0 km Named from nearby crater Cauchy
Rupes Kelvin 27.3°S 33.1°W / -27.3; -33.1 78.0 km Named from nearby Promontorium Kelvin
Rupes Liebig 25.0°S 46.0°W / -25.0; -46.0 180.0 km Named from nearby crater Liebig
Rupes Mercator 31.0°S 22.3°W / -31.0; -22.3 93.0 km Named from nearby crater Mercator
Rupes Recta 22.1°S 7.8°W / -22.1; -7.8 134.0 km Latin for "straight cliff"[7]
Rupes Toscanelli 27.4°N 47.5°W / 27.4; -47.5 70.0 km Named from nearby crater Toscanelli

Terra

The continental areas between the seas were given comparable names by Giovanni Battista Riccioli,[8] but were opposite the names used for the seas. Thus there were the lands of sterility (Terra Sterilitatis), heat (Terra Caloris), and liveliness (Terra Vitae). However these names for the highland regions are no longer used on recent maps, and Terrae are not officially recognized as standard lunar nomenclature by the International Astronomical Union.[9]

Name Name Origin Near side position
Insula Ventorum Island of Winds
Peninsula Fulminu Peninsula of Thunder Between Mare Humorum and Oceanus Procellarum.[10]
Terra Caloris Land of Heat Southwest rim of the near side.[10]
Terra Fertilitatis Land of Fertility Southeastern rim of the near side.[10]
Terrae Grandinis Land of Hail Northeast border of Mare Imbrium.[10]
Terrae Manna Land of Manna Region between Mare Tranquillitatis, Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Nectaris.[10]
Terra Niuiu (Terra Nivium) Land of Snows Southeast border of Mare Imbrium.[10]
Terra Pruinæ Land of Frost Northwest border of Mare Imbrium.[10]
Terra Sanitatis Land of Healthiness Central region between Mare Nubium and Mare Tranquillitatis.[10]
Terra Siccitatis Land of Dryness Northwest rim of the near side.[10]
Terra Sterilitatis Land of Sterility
Terra Vigoris Land of Cheerfulness Region southeast of Mare Crisium.[10]
Terra Vitæ Land of Liveliness Northeast rim of the near side.[10]

Craters

The large majority of these features are impact craters. The crater nomenclature is governed by the International Astronomical Union, and this list only includes features that are officially recognized by that scientific society.

The lunar craters are listed in the following subsections. Where a formation has associated satellite craters (smaller associated craters), these are detailed on the main crater description pages.

List of craters on the Moon
A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z
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gollark: Well, if you want proofreading, I can do that.
gollark: Great, now you have to restore your friend's brain from backup. Great job LyricLy.
gollark: The SPUDNETv4™ protocol is complicated.
gollark: I think I may end up having to implement some weird state machine.

See also

References
  1. Moore, Patrick (1983). The Guinness book of astronomy facts and feats. Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 25. ISBN 0-85112-258-2.
  2. "Science Source - Riccioli's Moon map, 1651". www.sciencesource.com. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
  3. "Moon Mare/Maria". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
  4. "Astronomica Langrenus" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
  5. Formerly called Mons Euler.
  6. Now Matapan or Tainaron
  7. Traditionally called the "Straight Wall".
  8. Wood, Chuck (April 18, 2006). "Restoring Bright Names". LPOD lunar photo of the day. Retrieved 2006-12-02.
  9. Blue, Jennifer (October 16, 2006). "Categories for Naming Features on Planets and Satellites". USGS. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
  10. Wood, Chuck (2006-07-13). "Restoring bright names". LPOD. Retrieved 2007-07-05.

These were used for references in the Water Features section.

  • Andersson, L. E.; Whitaker, E. A. (1982). NASA Catalogue of Lunar Nomenclature (PDF). NASA RP-1097. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link), no ISBN.
  • Ben Bussey and Paul Spudis, The Clementine Atlas of the Moon, Cambridge University Press, 2004, ISBN 0-521-81528-2.
  • Antonín Rükl, Atlas of the Moon, Kalmbach Books, 1990, ISBN 0-913135-17-8.
  • Ewen A. Whitaker, Mapping and Naming the Moon, Cambridge University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-521-62248-4.

The following sources were used as references on the individual crater pages.

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