What Features Does the Moon Have? (61)

Introduction

The following excerpt is a good one I think because it addresses in quite succinct form what features the Moon actually has.

The following excerpt comes from the book “Moons of the Solar System (From Giant Ganymede to Dainty Dactyl)” by James A.Hall.

Excerpt

“Our moon is a big place. According what the IAU has recognized and named it has:

• 12 Vallis (valleys)

• 22 Maria (sea)

• Oceanus Procellarum (ocean)

• 20 Lacus (lakes)

• 3 Palus (marshes)

• 11 Sinus (bays)

• 30 Mons (mountains)

• 18 Montes (mountain ranges)

• Reiner Gamma (an albedo feature)

• 20 Catena (chains of craters)

• 18 Dorsa and 21 Dorsum (wrinkle-ridge system and wrinkle-ridges)

• 9 Promontorium (capes)

• 52 Rima and 53 Rimae (rilles (ridges) and rille systems)

• 8 Rupes (escarpments)

• 1609 known, named craters (older ones were erased and this does not include satellite craters, which do not have independent names.)

And when things the IAU does not recognize are added:

• 5 Ex-Seas

• 1 Unrecognized Marsh (Palus Nebularum)

• Private/personal identification systems”

Summary

The Moon certainly has many features similar to what the Earth has. Except that the number of craters I think is larger. This fact could have some weight in determining which origin theory of the Moon is more valid.

End (61).