LUNAR MARE Meaning and
Definition
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A lunar mare refers to a vast, flat, and relatively smooth dark area or region found on the surface of the Moon. The term "mare" is derived from the Latin word for "sea," as early astronomers mistakenly believed these features were gigantic bodies of water. However, it became apparent that lunar mares were actually solidified basaltic lava flows that occurred billions of years ago.
Lunar mares are characterized by their low-lying topography and a distinct lack of prominent craters compared to other lunar regions. They typically possess a dark grey to black coloring, standing in stark contrast to the bright, heavily cratered lunar highlands that make up the majority of the Moon's surface. The lava flows that formed lunar mares originated from volcanic activity during the Moon's early history, when it was still geologically active. As molten lava erupted and escaped through cracks and fissures on the Moon's surface, it flowed across large areas, filling low-lying basins and creating the flat and relatively crater-free regions observed today.
Lunar mares cover approximately 16% of the Moon's surface and can vary in size, with some spanning hundreds of kilometers. Several well-known lunar mares include Mare Tranquillitatis ("Sea of Tranquility"), Mare Serenitatis ("Sea of Serenity"), and Mare Imbrium ("Sea of Showers"). These regions have significant historical importance as they served as the landing sites for several Apollo missions, enabling humans to set foot on the lunar surface for the first time.
Etymology of LUNAR MARE
The word "lunar" is derived from the Latin word "luna", which means "moon". The term "mare" comes from Latin as well and means "sea". However, in the context of lunar geography, "mare" refers to large, dark, basaltic plains on the Moon's surface mistakenly believed to be actual seas by early astronomers. Therefore, the term "lunar mare" combines the Latin word for "moon" with the Latin word for "sea" to describe these plains on the Moon.
