GAM_Moon_LT_280413


This sharp image of just a small section of the Moon was taken on the 28th April 2013 by the Liverpool Telescope. We like it because it shows how the shadows lengthen as one approaches the lunar terminator - the line between illuminated and dark parts of the Moon's surface. The smoother region towards the centre of the image is known as Mare Fecunditatis, and is a flat basaltic plains that were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. The small craters within it were created more recently.

The field-of-view of the Liverpool Telescope is only 4.6 arcminutes, hence we can only see a small part of the 29 arcminute diameter moon.

Why not try to identify which part of the Moon this image relates to using the moon map found at the following link:

click on image to enlarge