Mare Nectaris

The Sea of Nectar is a small, circular mare in the southeastern quadrant of the Moon.

Visual Description

Mare Nectaris appeared as a well-defined, roughly circular dark area. The mare has a distinctive shape with the dramatic triple-crater complex of Theophilus, Cyrillus, and Catharina on its northwestern edge. The floor is relatively smooth and uniform in tone.

Notable Features

• Nearly circular mare basin
• Bordered by the impressive Theophilus crater complex
• Part of the Nectaris Basin impact structure
• Rupes Altai scarp visible to the southeast
• Smooth, dark lava floor

Notes

• Name means “Sea of Nectar”
• Best observed 5-7 days after new moon
• Look for the Rupes Altai scarp forming a curved mountain arc
• The Theophilus crater overlaps the mare edge
• Coordinates: 15.2°S, 35.5°E