Halloween Moon

Features on the Full moon
With the full moon dominating the night sky this weekend, it's worth noting some of the prominent features visible with the reflected light of the full moon.
A pair of binoculars is all you will need to see these features.
-The Mares
These are known as the "Seas" of the moon. The name seas came about prior to the invention of the telescope in the 1500's when these obviously dark areas of the moon were thought to be seas of water.
In fact what they are, is ancient solidified lava plains, caused by massive impacts fracturing the young moons crust billions of years ago.
Four of the Major Sea's are Labeled in the attached photo.
-Bright Young Craters
When we speak of "young" craters on the moon, we are talking about craters that were formed millions of years ago.
The brightest of these features Tyco, labeled above in the southern region of the moon was caused by a 10km wide meteor striking the moon Aprox. 109 million years ago. the resulting 85 km wide crater has walls 4800m high & the bright "Rays" of the impact debris stretch 1/2 way across the face of the moon !
Copernicus on the other hand is 810 million years old, yet its cobweb like blanket of ejected material spread over an area 500km in diameter to a depth of 900m.

So take the time to view the moon as Halloween approaches & read the geological history history on its battered face.