Sinus Aestuum

The Bay of Billows, a mare region located south of Copernicus and west of the central highlands.

Visual Description

Sinus Aestuum appeared as an irregular dark patch of mare material situated between the bright crater Copernicus to the north and the central highland region. The bay showed a relatively smooth surface typical of mare basalt, though less uniform than the major maria. The feature connected to Sinus Medii to the east and served as part of the mare system in the central nearside region.

Notable Features

• Irregular mare patch in central region
• South of Copernicus crater
• Smooth basaltic surface
• Connected to Sinus Medii
• Part of central mare complex

Notes

• Name means “Bay of Billows”
• Located in central lunar nearside
• Best observed 9-10 days after new moon
• Coordinates: 10.9°N, 8.8°W
• Requires telescope for detailed observation