Sinus Iridum

Sinus Iridum
Sinus Iridum, from Clementine photographs
Coordinates	44°06′N 31°30′W / 44.1°N 31.5°W / 44.1; -31.5Coordinates: 44°06′N 31°30′W / 44.1°N 31.5°W / 44.1; -31.5
Diameter	236 km
Eponym	Bay of Rainbows

Detail map of Imbrium's features. Sinus Iridum is the feature marked "A".

Annotated Sinus Iridum by LRO

Sinus Iridum (Latin for "Bay of Rainbows") is a plain of basaltic lava that forms a northwestern extension to the Mare Imbrium on Earth's moon. It is surrounded from the northeast to the southwest by the Montes Jura range. The protruding part of the range at the southwest end is named Promontorium Heraclides, while that at the northeast end is called Promontorium Laplace. This bay and the surrounding mountains is considered one of the most beautiful features on the Moon, and is a favorite among lunar observers.

Sinus Iridum is formed from the remains of a large impact crater, which was subsequently flooded with basaltic lava, inundating the "sea" wall. The bay itself does not contain any notable impact craters, but does include the satellite crater Heraclides E in the south, Laplace A along the eastern edge, and Bianchini G in the north. The surface is level, but is marked by a number of wrinkle ridges (dorsa).

The selenographic coordinates of this bay are 44.1° N, 31.5° W, and the diameter is 236 km.^[1] The feature was given the Latin name for the Bay of Rainbows by Giovanni Riccioli.

It was the planned landing site of Chang'e 3, China's 2013 lunar exploration mission, which instead landed nearby in Mare Imbrium.

Satellite craters

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Promontorium Heraclides.

Heraclides	Latitude	Longitude	Diameter
A	40.9° N	34.2° W	6 km
E	42.9° N	32.7° W	4 km
F	38.5° N	33.7° W	3 km

The following satellite craters are associated with the Promontorium Laplace.

Laplace	Latitude	Longitude	Diameter
A	43.7° N	26.8° W	9 km
B	51.3° N	19.8° W	5 km
D	47.3° N	25.5° W	11 km
E	50.3° N	19.8° W	6 km
F	45.6° N	19.8° W	6 km
L	51.7° N	21.0° W	7 km
M	52.2° N	19.9° W	6 km

References

↑ "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature - Sinus Iridum". United States Geological Survey. International Astronomical Union (IAU). 18 October 2010. Retrieved 2013-12-04.

Lunar maria

Oceanus	Procellarum

Mare	Anguis Australe Cognitum Crisium Fecunditatis Frigoris Humboldtianum Humorum Imbrium Ingenii Insularum Marginis Moscoviense Nectaris Nubium Orientale Serenitatis Smythii Spumans Tranquillitatis Undarum Vaporum

Lacus	Aestatis Autumni Bonitatis Doloris Excellentiae Felicitatis Gaudii Hiemalis Lenitatis Luxuriae Mortis Oblivionis Odii Perseverantiae Solitudinis Somniorum Spei Temporis Timoris Veris

Sinus	Aestuum Amoris Asperitatis Concordiae Fidei Honoris Iridum Lunicus Medii Roris Successus

Paludes	Epidemiarum Putredinis Somni

List of maria on the Moon

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