The moon : $b a full description and map of its principal physical featuresElger, Thomas Gwyn
Science
The moon : $b a full description and map of its principal physical features
Elger, Thomas Gwyn
Moon
CLAVIUS.--There are few lunar observers who have not devoted more or less
attention to this beautiful formation, one of the most striking of
telescopic objects. However familiar we may consider ourselves to be with
its features, there is always something fresh to note and to admire as
often as we examine its apparently inexhaustible details. It is 142 miles
from side to side, and includes an area of at least 16,000 square miles
within its irregular circumvallation, which is only comparatively
slightly elevated above the bright plateau on the W., though it stands at
least 12,000 feet above the depressed floor. At a point on the S.W. a
peak rises nearly 17,000 feet above the interior, while on the E. the
cliffs are almost as lofty. There are two remarkable ring-plains, each
about 25 miles in diameter, associated, one with the N., and the other
with the S. wall, the floors of both abounding in detail. The latter,
however, is the most noteworthy on account of the curious corrugations
visible soon after sunrise on the outer N. slope of its wall, resembling
the ribbed flanks of some of the Java volcanoes. There are five large
craters on the floor of Clavius, following a curve convex to the N., and
diminishing in size from W. to E. The most westerly stands nearly midway
between the two large ring-plains on the walls, the second (about two-
thirds its area) is associated with a complex group of hills and smaller
craters. Both these objects have central mountains. In addition to this
prominent chain, there are innumerable craters of a smaller type on the
floor, but they are more plentiful on the S. half than elsewhere. On the
S.E. wall are three very large depressions. On the broad massive N.E.
border, the bright summit ridge and the many transverse valleys running
down from it to the floor, are especially interesting features. There are
very clear indications of "faulting" on a vast scale where this broad
section of the wall abuts on the N. side of the formation.
CYSATUS.--A regular walled-plain, apparently about 28 miles in diameter,
forming the most northerly member of a chain of formations, of which
Newton, Short, and Moretus, extending towards the S. limb, form a part.
Its border rises nearly 13,000 feet above a floor devoid of prominent
detail.
GRUEMBERGER.--A much larger and more irregular ring-plain, nearly 40
miles from wall to wall, on the E. side of Cysatus. Its W. border rises
nearly 14,000 feet above the interior, which includes an abnormally deep
crater, the bottom of which is 20,000 feet below the crest of the W.
wall, and several small depressions and ridges. The inner E. slope is
finely terraced.
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