What are 4 surface features seen on the Moon?

The moon’s surface is covered with dead volcanoes, impact craters, and lava flows, some visible to the unaided stargazer. Early scientists thought the dark stretches of the moon might be oceans, and so named such features mare, which is Latin for “seas” (maria when there are more than one).

What are the features of the Moon surface?

The Moon’s surface had what looked like valleys, plains and mountains much like the distinctly unheavenly surface of the Earth. Galileo’s conclusion led him to search for imperfections in other objects in the night sky – and ultimately to prove that the Earth was not the centre of the Universe.

What 2 kinds of features dominate the lunar surface?

4.2 Tectonics. The dominant features of the lunar surface are the old heavily cratered highlands and the younger basaltic maria, mostly filling the large impact basins (see Figs. 1 and 3). There is a general scarcity of tectonic features on the Moon, in great contrast to the dynamically active Earth.

What is the surface of the Moon called?

The face of the Moon turned toward us is termed the near side (image at right). It is divided into light areas called the Lunar Highlands and darker areas called Maria (literally, “seas”; the singular is Mare).

Are there any geological features on the Moon?

The Moon’s surface is covered in many interesting geological features. In addition to mountains, valleys, and craters, the following surface features have received names in the Lunar nomenclature. Many of these features are named after a nearby crater or mountain.

What makes up the surface of the Moon?

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. Several large lunar valleys have been given names.

What are the names of the lunar features?

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

What are the dark regions on the Moon?

The lunar maria. These dark regions — Latin for “seas” — are solidified lava flows from between 3-3.5 billion years ago: a billion years younger than the majority of the lunar surface. Mare Tranquillitatis contained Apollo 11’s landing site. wide-angle camera.