Featured Images
Tadpole and Lava Tube
An irregularly shaped depression, resembling a tadpole (center left), which is part of a sinuous chain of pits. The black arrow indicates the beginning of the pit chain that trends to the southeast. This feature is about 8 km long and...
Published on 29 Aug 2014
Mare Pit Topography!
The crisp morphology of the central Mare Fecunditatis pit (white arrow) stands out in elevation data and suggests a relatively young age. This pit is about 200-m in length and 45 m deep. Image width is 5 km; north is up. Color...
Published on 27 Aug 2014
Louville D
Fractured impact melt with a probable impact melt pit inside the crater Louville D. LROC NAC image M142604009R, image width 490 m [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
Published on 16 Aug 2012
Impact Melt Pit
A melt pit inside an unnamed crater. Image width is 480 m, NAC frame M176082220L [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
Published on 02 Mar 2012
Fissures on the Moon
Fissures and associated pit-chains on Aitken crater floor. LROC NAC M128148929L, image width is 580 m [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
Published on 01 Nov 2011
Another small volcano?
Along the embayed Eddington crater rim is an ~1.5 km dome that may be an ancient volcano with a summit pit crater. LROC NAC M148618400R, image width is 960 m [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
Published on 27 Apr 2011
Sinuous Chain of Depressions
A single depression from a larger sinuous chain of pits located at 34.6°N, 43.5°W in NAC frame M102443238R. This chain may host uncollapsed lava tubes between the depressions that are suitable for human habitation. Image is 1.5 km wide...
Published on 17 Feb 2011
Sublunarean void!
The LROC NAC acquired an oblique view of the Marius Hills pit with just the right angle to reveal an overhang! Pit is about 65 meters in diameter, M137929856R [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
Published on 07 Feb 2011
New Views of Lunar Pits
Spectacular high Sun view of the Mare Tranquillitatis pit crater revealing boulders on an otherwise smooth floor. Image is 400 meters wide, north is up, NAC M126710873R [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
Published on 14 Sep 2010
Fractures in the mare of Tsiolkovskiy Crater
Small fractures in the mare floor of Tsiolkovskiy Crater are a departure from the usual scene of smooth mare pitted with impact craters. As the mare cools, fractures like these can form, or these fractures might have formed due to...
Published on 24 Aug 2010
Volcanoes in Lacus Mortis
Most of the craters on the Moon formed through impact processes. However, some craters, like the one visible in this portion of LROC NAC frame M131488521R, may be a volcano summit pit crater. Crater diameter is ~400 m, the image width...
Published on 10 Aug 2010
How Common are Mare Pit Craters?
One of three large pit craters so far found on the Moon -- do these pits provide access to open lava tubes? Image is 1170 meters wide, LROC NAC M106662246R [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
Published on 14 Jul 2010
Depths of Mare Ingenii
Impact craters are visible everywhere on the Moon, but pits are rare. This pit in Mare Ingenii (located at 35.95°S, 166.06°E) is about 130 m in diameter! Image width is 550 m, illumination is from the upper right, NAC M128202846LE...
Published on 16 Jun 2010
Marius Hills Pit - Lava Tube Skylight?
The Marius Hills pit is a possible skylight in a lava tube in an ancient volcanic region of the Moon called the Marius Hills. This LROC image is the highest resolution image of the pit to date. Image width is 1400 meters, NAC...
Published on 01 Mar 2010