Montes Apenninus

The Lunar Apennines, the most prominent mountain range on the Moon, forming Mare Imbrium’s southeastern border.

Visual Description

Montes Apenninus appeared as the most spectacular mountain range on the Moon, stretching in a great arc along the southeastern edge of Mare Imbrium. The range showed dramatic peaks casting long shadows when near the terminator. The mountains rose sharply from the mare floor, creating one of the Moon’s most impressive topographic features.

Notable Features

• Most prominent lunar mountain range
• Approximately 600 km long
• Peaks rise up to 5 km above Mare Imbrium
• Forms dramatic arc along Mare Imbrium edge
• Contains numerous individual peaks including Mons Hadley

Notes

• Named after the Italian Apennine Mountains
• Best observed 8-10 days after new moon
• Apollo 15 landed at base (Hadley-Apennine)
• Coordinates: 18.9°N, 3.7°W
• Most spectacular near terminator