Moon Basics
This phase of the Moon is when we see the entire face lit, making dark spots easiest to see
What is the full moon?
These darker flat regions on the Moon were once mistaken for oceans.
What are maria?
Maria formed when this hot substance burst from inside the Moon and cooled.
What is lava?
These objects from space hit the Moon and created the giant basins that later filled with lava.
What are meteorites/asteroids?
These dark, flat patches on the Moon were called “seas” by early astronomers, even though they contain no water.
What are maria?
The word “maria” comes from this language and means “seas.”
What is Latin?
The cooling lava that created the maria came from cracks caused by these large cosmic collisions.
What are asteroid/meteor impacts?
The circular depressions caused by impacts are known by this term.
What are craters?
The maria formed when this hot substance from inside the Moon flooded impact basins and cooled into dark rock.
What is lava?
This famous dark region, often called the “Man in the Moon’s right eye,” is one of the largest maria.
What is Mare Imbrium?
Maria look darker because the rock there is richer in this dark-colored volcanic mineral.
What is basalt?
This famous impact basin, visible from Earth, is the site of the Oceanus Procellarum region.
What is the Procellarum Basin?