Abstract
THE hypothesis proposed by Kopal1 concerning the origin of the lunar maria is very interesting. However, it is important to note that the distribution of lunar craters on the Earth-turned hemisphere is far from uniform. There are significant, well-marked chains approximately aligned with the central meridian as seen from Earth; in the west (classical sense) the chain to which Vendelinus and Langrenus belong; near the centre, the Walter and the Ptolemaeus chains; in the east, the Grimaldi chain, and so on. The suggestion by Baldwin2, according to which the alignments are not real and are due to lighting effects, does not fit the facts. I have discussed this matter elsewhere3,4. Particularly important, however, is the conclusion that the well-formed maria fit in to the general pattern; it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that, for example, the Mare Crisium is simply a large member of the Vendelinus chain. To introduce a separate origin for the maria presupposes that they are of a nature basically different from that of the craters.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Kopal, Z., Nature, 210, 188 (1966).
Baldwin, R. B., The Face of the Moon (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1949).
Moore, P., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 123, 1245 (1965).
Moore, P., Survey of the Moon (Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1963).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MOORE, P. Origin of the Lunar Maria. Nature 210, 1347 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/2101347a0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2101347a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.