Featured Images

Approaching Aitken Crater - Vertregt J

As LRO slewed to obliquely view Aitken crater (17 January Featured Image), the northern edge of Vertregt J was serendipitously captured by the NAC. North to the left, image is about 6 km wide [NASA/GSFC/ASU].

Published on 19 Jan 2011

Aitken Central Peak, Seen Obliquely

Southern end of Aitken crater central peak complex. The upper left is about 1000 meters above the crater floor, which is just seen at lower right. Bright material (high albedo) may be a landslide of local soil, or a secondary impact...

Published on 17 Jan 2011

South Pole Illumination Map

Multi-temporal illumination map of the lunar south pole, Shackleton crater (19 km diameter) is in the center, the south pole is located approximately at 9 o'clock on its rim. Mapped area extends from 88°S to 90°S [NASA/GSFC/Arizona...

Published on 15 Dec 2010

Highest Point on the Moon!

Arrow shows highest point on the Moon, 10,786 meters (35,387 feet) above the mean radius. North is up, Sun elevation is 16° from the horizon, image 500 meters wide, from M133865651L,R mosaic [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Published on 26 Oct 2010

Sinus Iridum - Next Destination?

LROC WAC topography of Sinus Iridum, blue shows the lowest areas and red the highest. From promontory to promontory Sinus Iridum is 235 km across [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Published on 15 Oct 2010

Slipher Crater: Fractured Moon in 3-D

Over time, the surface of the Moon fractures and buckles as it cools and shrinks, resulting in spectacular landforms. Stereo images provided by the LROC NAC allow a detailed look at these amazing features; view is to the east,...

Published on 12 Oct 2010

The Lunar North Pole

Summer-time at the lunar north pole captured by the LROC Wide Angle Camera (WAC), width ~600 km, latitude ranges from 80°N to 90°N [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Published on 05 Oct 2010

Copernicus Crater and The Lunar Timescale

LROC NAC view of the southern rim of Copernicus crater. Downslope direction is to the upper left and the fragmented material demarcates the rough edge of the crater rim. The surface texture is still sharp and crisp indicating a...

Published on 28 Sep 2010

The Lunar South Pole

LROC Wide Angle Camera (WAC) mosaic of the south polar region, width ~600 km [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Published on 27 Sep 2010

Americas from the Moon

The western hemisphere of our home planet Earth. North (upper left), Central, and South America (lower right) were nicely free of clouds when LRO pointed home on 9 August 2010 to acquire this beautiful view! LROC NAC E136013771...

Published on 15 Sep 2010

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

Color of the Moon

The LROC WAC is busily mapping the Moon in 7 UV and visible wavelengths (320 nm through 689 nm). This color composite shows 320 nm light in blue, 415 nm in green and 689 nm in red, scene is ~1000 km wide [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State...

Published on 10 Sep 2010

Moon Seen From the East

LROC Wide Angle Camera (WAC) view of the Moon seen from 90° east longitude. Half the nearside is visible to the left, and half the farside to the right [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Published on 08 Sep 2010

Natural Bridge on the Moon!

Another amazing bit of lunar geology revealed by LROC! NAC M113168034R, north is up [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Published on 07 Sep 2010

Bhabha sinks into the shadows

Last rays striking central peak of Bhabha crater just before sunset. View from the west looking east; image M133982125 [NASA/GSFC/Arizina State University].

Published on 21 Jul 2010

Up from the depths

Close up view of the central peak of Aristarchus crater, 700 meters wide, NAC M122523410 [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Published on 19 Jul 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

Linné Crater

Linné crater (2.2 km diameter) is a beautifully preserved young mare crater. Small white arrows indicate layering preserved just below the rim; these rock outcrops probably represent discrete lava flow deposits [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State...

Published on 06 Jul 2010

The Earth from the Moon

The Earth as seen from the Moon! LROC NAC mosaic of images snapped on 12 June 2010 during a calibration sequence, E130954785L and E130954785R [NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University].

Published on 24 Jun 2010

Orientale Basin

The Orientale basin is the youngest of the large lunar basins. The distinct outer ring is about 950 km from east-to-west, the full width of the LROC WAC mosaic is 1350 km [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Published on 17 Jun 2010