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Copernicus crater on the Moon
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Copernicus crater on the Moon
19th century illustration of the Moons Copernicus crater, one of the largest annular mountains of the Moon, near the Carpathians. The interpretation of these lunar features was very different to our present understanding; then they were regarded as volcanic in origin. All the crust of our satellite is pierced by craters which indicate an innumerable series of volcanic eruptions. Evidence collected during the Apollo Project and from unmanned spacecraft of the same period proved conclusively that meteoric impact, or impact by asteroids for larger craters, was the origin of almost all lunar craters, and by implication, most craters on other bodies as well. From an illustration by J Nasmyth, reproduced in The Heavens by Amedee Guillemin, Publ. Richard Bentley, 1878
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6316201
© DAVID PARKER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Asteroid Crust Heavens Lunar Meteorite Moon Satellite Space Craft Unmanned Spacecraft Volcanic Volcano Volcanic Eruptions
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This 19th-century illustration showcases the majestic Copernicus crater on the Moon, a celestial wonder that has fascinated astronomers for centuries. In this artistic portrayal, created by J Nasmyth and reproduced in Amedee Guillemin's book "The Heavens" we are transported back to a time when our understanding of lunar features differed greatly from today. During this era, these lunar formations were believed to be volcanic in origin. The prevailing theory suggested that the entire crust of our satellite was punctured by craters resulting from countless volcanic eruptions. However, as scientific knowledge advanced through groundbreaking missions like the Apollo Project and unmanned spacecraft exploration, our comprehension underwent a paradigm shift. Evidence collected during these ventures conclusively revealed that almost all lunar craters were formed due to meteoric impacts or asteroid collisions for larger craters. This revelation not only reshaped our understanding of the Moon but also shed light on similar phenomena occurring across other celestial bodies. The image itself captures the magnificence of Copernicus crater nestled near the Carpathian Mountains on the Moon's surface. Its annular shape is awe-inspiring, reminding us of nature's remarkable ability to create breathtaking landscapes even beyond Earth's boundaries. As we gaze upon this historical print, let us marvel at how far humanity has come in unraveling the mysteries of space while appreciating how much more there is yet to discover about our vast universe.
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