The week of September 23-29 takes us from Day 20 to Day 26. This week we will highlight the Apennine Mountains, viewable on Tuesday night, located in the NW quadrant of the Field Map at G10.
Montes Apenninus: [Repeated from Day 7–NW/H9-G10; L=4°W] The Apennine Mountain Range is the most spectacular feature on the Moon and was formed as a direct result of the impact that created the Imbrium basin nearly four billion years ago. Mountain ranges on the Earth take millions of years to form. The magnificent ranges that surround Mare Imbrium were created in a matter of minutes! They resulted from the shock waves that exploded out from the original Imbrium impact. The Apennines stretch out over 370 miles and include more than 3,000 peaks. The highest peak in this range is Mons Huygens [NW/G9] which stretches, from its base to its top, to an incredible 18,000 feet!
Back off and scan the whole area for telltale formations that seem to radiate from the center of Imbrium (don’t forget to check the back side of the Apennines). These radial features resulted from debris that was blown out from the original impact.
OF ADDITIONAL INTEREST IN SPACE
On Wednesday, Mars is 5° south of the Moon.
Field Map of the Moon, the very finest Moon map available for use at the telescope. It is available for $10.95 at www.skyandtelescope.com and on Amazon. All features mentioned in this blog will be keyed to the grid on the Field Map and will look like this: Plato: [NW/D9]
Credits:
Courtesy of Gray Photography of Corpus Christi, Texas
Lunar photos: NASA / USGS / BMDO / LROC / ASU / DLR / LOLA / Moon Globe. Used by permission
- Floor-Fractured Crater on the Moon – Taruntius - September 30, 2024
- Apennine Mountain Range on the Moon - September 23, 2024
- Rupes Cauchy and Rupes Recta: Both are Paralleled by a Nearby Rille - September 16, 2024