Sinus Iridum
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(June 2008) |
 Annotated Sinus Iridum byLRO | |
| Coordinates | 45°01′N31°40′W/ 45.01°N 31.67°W |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 249 km |
| Eponym | Bay of Rainbows |
Sinus Iridum/ˈsaɪnəsˈɪrɪdəm/(Latinsinus īridum"Bay of Rainbows" )[1]is a plain ofbasalticlavathat forms a northwestern extension to theMare Imbriumon Earth'smoon.It is surrounded from the northeast to the southwest by theMontes Jurarange. The protruding part of the range at the southwest end is namedPromontorium Heraclides,while that at the northeast end is calledPromontorium Laplace.This bay and the surrounding mountains is considered one of the most beautiful features on the Moon, and is a favorite among lunar observers.
Sinus Iridum is formed from the remains of a large impact crater, which was subsequently flooded with basaltic lava, inundating the "sea" wall. The bay itself does not contain any notable impact craters, but does include the satellite crater Heraclides E in the south, Laplace A along the eastern edge, and Bianchini G in the north. The surface is level, but is marked by a number ofwrinkle ridges(dorsa).
Sinus Iridum is one of the largest craters of Upper (Late)Imbrianage.[2]
Theselenographic coordinatesof the bay's center are 45.01° N, 31.67° W, and the diameter is 249 km.[1]It was the planned landing site ofChang'e 3,China's 2013 lunar exploration mission, which instead landed nearby inMare Imbrium.
When 10 to 11 days afternew moonthe Sinus Iridum is still in shadow, the Montes Jura can already be visible at thelunar terminator.This geometry is also calledGolden Handle.
Satellite craters
[edit]By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Promontorium Heraclides.
| Heraclides | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 40.9° N | 34.2° W | 6 km |
| E | 42.9° N | 32.7° W | 4 km |
| F | 38.5° N | 33.7° W | 3 km |
The following satellite craters are associated with the Promontorium Laplace.
| Laplace | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 43.7° N | 26.8° W | 9 km |
| B | 51.3° N | 19.8° W | 5 km |
| D | 47.3° N | 25.5° W | 11 km |
| E | 50.3° N | 19.8° W | 6 km |
| F | 45.6° N | 19.8° W | 6 km |
| L | 51.7° N | 21.0° W | 7 km |
| M | 52.2° N | 19.9° W | 6 km |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ab"Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature - Sinus Iridum".United States Geological Survey.International Astronomical Union (IAU). 18 October 2010.Retrieved2018-01-30.
- ^The geologic history of the Moon.USGSProfessional Paper 1348. ByDon E. Wilhelms,John F. McCauley, and Newell J. Trask. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington: 1987. Table 11.2.
External links
[edit]
- Wood, Chuck (2006-08-20)."Out the Porthole".Lunar Photo of the Day.Retrieved2016-09-18.,excellent earth-based image of Sinus Iridum and vicinity
- Nemiroff, R.; Bonnell, J., eds. (8 February 2008)."The Bay of Rainbows".Astronomy Picture of the Day.NASA.
- On the Shore of the Bay of Rainbows-Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiterpage with images
- High resolution videoby Seán Doran of an overflight of Sinus Iridum, based on LRO data;this videoalso passes over Sinus Iridum about halfway through (seealbumfor more)