Mare Nubium

The Sea of Clouds is a large, irregular mare in the southwestern part of the Moon’s near side.

Object Type: Lunar Mare (Sea)

Size: 715 km diameter

Location: Chattanooga, TN (35.15°N, 85.32°W)

Equipment: Telescope (750/150mm)

Visual Description

Mare Nubium appeared as a large, irregularly-shaped dark area with a relatively smooth floor. The mare shows subtle variations in shading and is bordered by several prominent craters. The famous Rupes Recta (Straight Wall) is located along its eastern edge.

Notable Features

  • Large, irregular mare with embayed margins
  • Contains the spectacular Rupes Recta (Straight Wall) fault scarp
  • Bordered by prominent craters including Bullialdus
  • Several wrinkle ridges cross the mare floor
  • Connects to Mare Humorum and Oceanus Procellarum

Notes

  • Name means “Sea of Clouds”
  • Home to the famous Straight Wall feature
  • Best observed 8-10 days after new moon
  • Ranger 7 impacted here in 1964 (first US spacecraft to photograph the Moon)
  • Coordinates: 21.3°S, 16.6°W