{"id":55377,"date":"2024-03-03T08:33:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-03T08:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/01316770-d5ed-4215-bbd3-c616ee9458a2"},"modified":"2024-03-03T09:32:30","modified_gmt":"2024-03-03T09:32:30","slug":"how-to-find-ancient-volcano-domes-on-the-surface-of-the-moon","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/how-to-find-ancient-volcano-domes-on-the-surface-of-the-moon\/","title":{"rendered":"How to find ancient volcano domes on the surface of the Moon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lunar domes are remnants of the Moon\u2019s volcanic past. How many can you find? <\/p>

By Pete Lawrence\n <\/p>

Published: Sunday, 03 March 2024 at 08:33 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Much of the Moon\u2019s detail you can view through a telescope has come from meteoric impacts on the lunar surface.<\/p>

Features such as craters and basins are the result of impacts that occurred a long time in the past.<\/p>

However, there is evidence of vulcanism on the Moon\u2019s surface too.<\/p>

Some of it is obvious when pointed out, such as the dark patches around the inner edge of the 118km crater Alphonsus, the result of fire-fountain eruptions from cracks in the crater\u2019s floor.\u00a0<\/p>

The Area Around The Crater Ptolemaeus by Steve Williams, Irthlingborough, Northants, UK. Equipment: 150mm F8 refractor, ASI120 Mono CCD.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Lunar domes and shield volcanoes<\/strong><\/h2>

A less obvious structure that can take a little work to find is that of the lunar dome.<\/p>

These are shallow, rounded features rising to a height of perhaps several hundred metres.<\/p>

Best seen when the terminator is close by and the lighting oblique, they can stand out surprisingly well.<\/p>

When you see a lunar dome, you\u2019re looking at a formation resulting from a shield volcano.<\/p>

A shield volcano is a type of volcano that produces low-viscosity lava that is able to travel a long distance from the eruption point and forms generally thinner flows.<\/p>

The name comes from the resulting shape, which looks like the domed appearance of a warrior\u2019s shield laid on the ground.<\/p>

Where to find volcano domes on the Moon<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Map
Map of Moon volcano domes. Click to expand. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/figcaption><\/figure>

There are many examples of lunar domes, and hunting them down can become a bit of an obsession.<\/p>

We have many favourites that we can recommend to get you started, but these are by no means all of them.\u00a0<\/p>

In the east, there\u2019s the Cauchy Tau (\u03c4) and Omega (\u03c9) domes, located south and southwest of 13km crater Cauchy.<\/p>

The unofficially named Gardner Megadome is a huge but tricky domed structure 80km across, with a depression at its centre. It lies south of 18km Gardner.<\/p>

\"Mare
Mare Imbrium, as seen by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Credit: NASA \/ Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The Valentine Dome, near the interface between Mare Serenitatis<\/a> and Mare Imbrium<\/a>, is worth a visit too.<\/p>

It sits 105km northwest of 3km Linne. In Mare Tranquillitatis<\/a>, try to find Arago Alpha (\u03b1) and Beta (\u03b2).\u00a0<\/p>

To the west, there\u2019s dome overload, starting with Mons Rumker, a feature near the northwest limb which resembles a raspberry.<\/p>

Two obvious domes sit near to Mons Rumker in the form of Gruithuisen Gamma (\u03b3) and Delta (\u03b4). These are often likened to upturned bathtubs!<\/p>

West and north of 41km crater Marius there\u2019s a whole field of domes known as the Marius Hills.<\/p>

Further east, towards crater Copernicus<\/a>, seek out Milichius Pi (\u2260) and the superb Hortensius dome field.\u00a0<\/p>

In the south, around Mare Numbium there\u2019s Kies Pi (\u2260), which lies immediately west of 45km Kies.<\/p>

Using our guide chart above, see how many you can find and record.<\/p>

Have you managed to find and photograph any lunar domes? Let us know by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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