List of maria on the Moon

1882 chart of the moon with maria


This is a list of maria (large, dark, basaltic plains) on the Moon. It includes other basaltic plains, including the one oceanus as well as features known by the names lacus, palus and sinus. The modern system of lunar nomenclature was introduced in 1651 by Giovanni Battista Riccioli. [1]

Riccioli's map of the Moon was drawn by Francesco Maria Grimaldi, who has a crater named after him. A related set of features are the Lunar lacus /ˈleɪkəs/ (singular also lacus, Latin for "lake"),[a] which are smaller basaltic plains of similar origin. A related set of features are the sinus /ˈsaɪnəs/ (singular sinus, Latin for "bay")[b] and paludes /pəˈluːdiːz/ (singular palus /ˈpeɪləs/, Latin palūs, palūdēs "marsh").

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[2] ("Small Sea"), immediately to the east of Inghirami; Mare Incognitum ("Unknown Sea"); Mare Novum[2] ("New Sea"), northeast of Plutarch; and Mare Struve ("Struve's Sea"), near Messala. Some sources also list a Palus Nebularum (Latin palūs nebulārum /ˈpeɪləs nɛbjʊˈlɛərəm/ "Marsh of Mists") at 38.0° N, 1.0° E. However, the designation for this feature has not been officially recognized by the IAU.

Lunar plains

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Maria and Oceanus of the Moon
Latin name Name
(English translation) 		Diameter Lunar coordinates Quadr­angles Refs
Mare Anguis Serpent Sea 150 km (93 mi) 22°36′0″N 67°42′0″E / 22.60000°N 67.70000°E / 22.60000; 67.70000 (Mare Anguis) LQ13 REF
Mare Australe Southern Sea 603 km (375 mi) 38°54′0″S 93°0′0″E / 38.90000°S 93.00000°E / -38.90000; 93.00000 (Mare Australe) LQ28 REF
Mare Cognitum Sea of Knowledge 376 km (234 mi) 10°30′0″S 22°18′0″W / 10.50000°S 22.30000°W / -10.50000; -22.30000 (Mare Cognitum) LQ19 REF
Mare Crisium Sea of Crises 418 km (260 mi) 17°0′0″N 59°6′0″E / 17.00000°N 59.10000°E / 17.00000; 59.10000 (Mare Crisium) LQ13 REF
Mare Fecunditatis Sea of Fecundity 909 km (565 mi) 7°48′0″S 51°18′0″E / 7.80000°S 51.30000°E / -7.80000; 51.30000 (Mare Fecunditatis) LQ21 REF
Mare Frigoris Sea of Cold 1,596 km (992 mi) 56°0′0″N 1°24′0″E / 56.00000°N 1.40000°E / 56.00000; 1.40000 (Mare Frigoris) LQ05 REF
Mare Humboldtianum Sea of Alexander von Humboldt 273 km (170 mi) 56°54′0″N 81°30′0″E / 56.90000°N 81.50000°E / 56.90000; 81.50000 (Mare Humboldtianum) LQ06 REF
Mare Humorum Sea of Moisture or Humors 389 km (242 mi) 24°24′0″S 38°36′0″W / 24.40000°S 38.60000°W / -24.40000; -38.60000 (Mare Humorum) LQ19 REF
Mare Imbrium[3] Sea of Showers 1,123 km (698 mi) 32°48′0″N 15°36′0″W / 32.80000°N 15.60000°W / 32.80000; -15.60000 (Mare Imbrium) LQ04 REF
Mare Ingenii Sea of Cleverness 318 km (198 mi) 33°42′0″S 163°30′0″E / 33.70000°S 163.50000°E / -33.70000; 163.50000 (Mare Ingenii) LQ29 REF
Mare Insularum Sea of Islands 513 km (319 mi) 7°30′0″N 30°54′0″W / 7.50000°N 30.90000°W / 7.50000; -30.90000 (Mare Insularum) LQ11 REF
Mare Marginis Sea of the Edge 420 km (260 mi) 13°18′0″N 86°6′0″E / 13.30000°N 86.10000°E / 13.30000; 86.10000 (Mare Marginis) LQ13 REF
Mare Moscoviense Sea of Moscow 277 km (172 mi) 27°18′0″N 147°54′0″E / 27.30000°N 147.90000°E / 27.30000; 147.90000 (Mare Moscoviense) LQ15 REF
Mare Nectaris Sea of Nectar 333 km (207 mi) 15°12′0″S 34°36′0″E / 15.20000°S 34.60000°E / -15.20000; 34.60000 (Mare Nectaris) LQ20 REF
Mare Nubium Sea of Clouds 715 km (444 mi) 21°18′0″S 16°36′0″W / 21.30000°S 16.60000°W / -21.30000; -16.60000 (Mare Nubium) LQ19 REF
Mare Orientale Eastern Sea 327 km (203 mi) 19°24′0″S 92°48′0″W / 19.40000°S 92.80000°W / -19.40000; -92.80000 (Mare Orientale) LQ17 REF
Mare Serenitatis Sea of Serenity 707 km (439 mi) 28°0′0″N 17°30′0″E / 28.00000°N 17.50000°E / 28.00000; 17.50000 (Mare Serenitatis) LQ12 REF
Mare Smythii Smyth's Sea 373 km (232 mi) 1°18′0″N 87°30′0″E / 1.30000°N 87.50000°E / 1.30000; 87.50000 (Mare Smythii) LQ13 REF
Mare Spumans Foaming Sea 139 km (86 mi) 1°18′0″N 65°18′0″E / 1.30000°N 65.30000°E / 1.30000; 65.30000 (Mare Spumans) LQ13 REF
Mare Tranquillitatis Sea of Tranquility 873 km (542 mi) 8°30′0″N 31°24′0″E / 8.50000°N 31.40000°E / 8.50000; 31.40000 (Mare Tranquillitatis) LQ12 REF
Mare Undarum Sea of Waves 243 km (151 mi) 7°29′24″N 68°39′36″E / 7.49000°N 68.66000°E / 7.49000; 68.66000 (Mare Undarum) LQ13 REF
Mare Vaporum Sea of Vapors 245 km (152 mi) 13°18′0″N 3°36′0″E / 13.30000°N 3.60000°E / 13.30000; 3.60000 (Mare Vaporum) LQ12 REF
Oceanus Procellarum Ocean of Storms 2,568 km (1,596 mi) 18°24′0″N 57°24′0″W / 18.40000°N 57.40000°W / 18.40000; -57.40000 (Oceanus Procellarum) LQ10 REF
Lacus Aestatis Lake of Summer 90 km (56 mi) 15°0′0″S 69°0′0″W / 15.00000°S 69.00000°W / -15.00000; -69.00000 (Lacus Aestatis) LQ18 REF
Lacus Autumni Lake of Autumn 183 km (114 mi) 9°54′0″S 83°54′0″W / 9.90000°S 83.90000°W / -9.90000; -83.90000 (Lacus Autumni) LQ18 REF
Lacus Bonitatis Lake of Goodness 92 km (57 mi) 23°12′0″N 44°18′0″E / 23.20000°N 44.30000°E / 23.20000; 44.30000 (Lacus Bonitatis) LQ12 REF
Lacus Doloris Lake of Sorrow 110 km (68 mi) 16°48′0″N 8°36′0″E / 16.80000°N 8.60000°E / 16.80000; 8.60000 (Lacus Doloris) LQ12 REF
Lacus Excellentiae Lake of Excellence 184 km (114 mi) 35°24′0″S 44°0′0″W / 35.40000°S 44.00000°W / -35.40000; -44.00000 (Lacus Excellentiae) LQ26 REF
Lacus Felicitatis Lake of Happiness 90 km (56 mi) 18°30′0″N 5°24′0″E / 18.50000°N 5.40000°E / 18.50000; 5.40000 (Lacus Felicitatis) LQ12 REF
Lacus Gaudii Lake of Joy 113 km (70 mi) 16°18′0″N 12°18′0″E / 16.30000°N 12.30000°E / 16.30000; 12.30000 (Lacus Gaudii) LQ12 REF
Lacus Hiemalis Lake of Winter 50 km (31 mi) 15°0′0″N 14°0′0″E / 15.00000°N 14.00000°E / 15.00000; 14.00000 (Lacus Hiemalis) LQ12 REF
Lacus Lenitatis Lake of Softness 80 km (50 mi) 14°18′0″N 12°6′0″E / 14.30000°N 12.10000°E / 14.30000; 12.10000 (Lacus Lenitatis) LQ12 REF
Lacus Luxuriae Lake of Luxury 50 km (31 mi) 19°24′36″N 176°30′0″E / 19.41000°N 176.50000°E / 19.41000; 176.50000 (Lacus Luxuriae) LQ15 REF
Lacus Mortis Lake of Death 151 km (94 mi) 45°7′48″N 27°19′12″E / 45.13000°N 27.32000°E / 45.13000; 27.32000 (Lacus Mortis) LQ05 REF
Lacus Oblivionis Lake of Forgetfulness 50 km (31 mi) 21°0′0″S 168°0′0″W / 21.00000°S 168.00000°W / -21.00000; -168.00000 (Lacus Oblivionis) LQ16 REF
Lacus Odii Lake of Hatred 70 km (43 mi) 19°0′0″N 7°0′0″E / 19.00000°N 7.00000°E / 19.00000; 7.00000 (Lacus Odii) LQ12 REF
Lacus Perseverantiae Lake of Perseverance 70 km (43 mi) 8°0′0″N 62°0′0″E / 8.00000°N 62.00000°E / 8.00000; 62.00000 (Lacus Perseverantiae) LQ13 REF
Lacus Solitudinis Lake of Solitude 139 km (86 mi) 27°48′0″S 104°18′0″E / 27.80000°S 104.30000°E / -27.80000; 104.30000 (Lacus Solitudinis) LQ22 REF
Lacus Somniorum Lake of Dreams 384 km (239 mi) 37°33′36″N 30°48′0″E / 37.56000°N 30.80000°E / 37.56000; 30.80000 (Lacus Somniorum) LQ05 REF
Lacus Spei Lake of Hope 80 km (50 mi) 43°27′36″N 65°12′0″E / 43.46000°N 65.20000°E / 43.46000; 65.20000 (Lacus Spei) LQ06 REF
Lacus Temporis Lake of Time 117 km (73 mi) 46°46′12″N 56°12′36″E / 46.77000°N 56.21000°E / 46.77000; 56.21000 (Lacus Temporis) LQ05 REF
Lacus Timoris Lake of Fear 117 km (73 mi) 39°24′0″S 27°54′0″W / 39.40000°S 27.90000°W / -39.40000; -27.90000 (Lacus Timoris) LQ26 REF
Lacus Veris Lake of Spring 396 km (246 mi) 16°30′0″S 86°6′0″W / 16.50000°S 86.10000°W / -16.50000; -86.10000 (Lacus Veris) LQ18 REF
Palus Epidemiarum Marsh of Epidemics 286 km (178 mi) 32°0′0″S 28°12′0″W / 32.00000°S 28.20000°W / -32.00000; -28.20000 (Palus Epidemiarum) LQ26 REF
Palus Putredinis Marsh of Decay 161 km (100 mi) 27°24′0″N 0°0′0″E / 27.40000°N 0.00000°E / 27.40000; 0.00000 (Palus Putredinis) LQ12 REF
Palus Somni Marsh of Sleep 143 km (89 mi) 14°6′0″N 45°0′0″E / 14.10000°N 45.00000°E / 14.10000; 45.00000 (Palus Somni) LQ13 REF
Sinus Aestuum Seething Bay 290 km (180 mi) 12°6′0″N 8°18′0″W / 12.10000°N 8.30000°W / 12.10000; -8.30000 (Sinus Aestuum) LQ11 REF
Sinus Amoris Bay of Love 130 km (81 mi) 19°54′0″N 37°18′0″E / 19.90000°N 37.30000°E / 19.90000; 37.30000 (Sinus Amoris) LQ12 REF
Sinus Asperitatis Bay of Roughness 206 km (128 mi) 3°48′0″S 27°24′0″E / 3.80000°S 27.40000°E / -3.80000; 27.40000 (Sinus Asperitatis) LQ20 REF
Sinus Concordiae Bay of Harmony 142 km (88 mi) 10°48′0″N 43°12′0″E / 10.80000°N 43.20000°E / 10.80000; 43.20000 (Sinus Concordiae) LQ12 REF
Sinus Fidei Bay of Trust 70 km (43 mi) 18°0′0″N 2°0′0″E / 18.00000°N 2.00000°E / 18.00000; 2.00000 (Sinus Fidei) LQ12 REF
Sinus Honoris Bay of Honor 109 km (68 mi) 11°42′0″N 17°54′0″E / 11.70000°N 17.90000°E / 11.70000; 17.90000 (Sinus Honoris) LQ12 REF
Sinus Iridum Bay of Rainbows 236 km (147 mi) 45°0′36″N 31°40′12″W / 45.01000°N 31.67000°W / 45.01000; -31.67000 (Sinus Iridum) LQ04 REF
Sinus Lunicus Lunik Bay 126 km (78 mi) 32°24′0″N 1°54′0″W / 32.40000°N 1.90000°W / 32.40000; -1.90000 (Sinus Lunicus) LQ04 REF
Sinus Medii Bay of the center 335 km (208 mi) 1°36′0″N 1°0′0″E / 1.60000°N 1.00000°E / 1.60000; 1.00000 (Sinus Medii) LQ12 REF
Sinus Roris Bay of Dew 202 km (126 mi) 54°0′0″N 56°36′0″W / 54.00000°N 56.60000°W / 54.00000; -56.60000 (Sinus Roris) LQ04 REF
Sinus Successus Bay of Success 132 km (82 mi) 0°54′0″N 59°0′0″E / 0.90000°N 59.00000°E / 0.90000; 59.00000 (Sinus Successus) LQ13 REF
Sinus Viscositatis Bay of Stickiness 68 km (42 mi) 35°15′0″N 40°59′24″W / 35.25000°N 40.99000°W / 35.25000; -40.99000 (Sinus Viscositatis) LQ04 REF

Map

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Photo of the near side of the Moon with maria (in blue) and prominent craters (in white) labeled.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ In Latin, the singular is lacus ['lakʊs] and the plural is lacūs ['lakuːs], but they are spelled and pronounced the same in English.
  2. ^ As with 'lacus', Latin sg. sinus and plural sinūs are spelled and pronounced the same in English.

References

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  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. ^ a b "Astronomica Langrenus" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
  3. ^ "Moon Mare/Maria". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
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