Rima Hyginus

A prominent linear rille passing through the small crater Hyginus, one of the Moon’s most famous graben structures.

Visual Description

Rima Hyginus appeared as a linear valley or rille cutting across the mare region between Mare Vaporum and Sinus Medii. The most distinctive feature was the small crater Hyginus at the rille’s center, creating a characteristic “beads on a string” appearance with smaller craterlets along the rille’s length. The rille appeared as a dark linear feature, representing a collapsed lava tube or graben structure.

Notable Features

• Linear rille, 220 km in length
• Passes through crater Hyginus
• Chain of small craterlets along length
• Classic example of lunar graben
• Located in central nearside

Notes

• Named after crater Hyginus
• Classic target for observing lunar volcanism
• Best observed 7-9 days after new moon
• Coordinates: 7.4°N, 6.3°E
• Requires good seeing and telescope to resolve