WAC High Sun – 360 Degrees of Longitude

The look of the Moon is very different at noon than at dawn or dusk; no shadows are cast, so subtle changes in surface brightness are enhanced. The dark material is mare basalt that was erupted and flooded large impact craters (or basins) early in lunar history. The brightest materials are ejecta, in the form of widespread deposits and bright rays, from recent craters. Notice how dissimilar are the nearside and farside.

Back to Exhibit