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The Lunar Heart: A Celestial Phenomenon to Cherish
As Valentine’s Day approaches, a remarkable lunar phenomenon, formed by the intricate dance of light and shadow on the Moon’s surface, invites skywatchers to witness a heart-shaped pattern of peaks and ridges. This special formation, known as the “Lunar Heart,” becomes visible each month just before the First Quarter phase. Observers are encouraged to take a moment to appreciate this poetic spectacle in the night sky and perhaps share it with loved ones.
The Heart is situated near the historic Apollo 15 landing site, nestled between the Archimedes crater and Hadley Rille (Rima Hadley). The astronauts David Scott and James Irwin, who landed on the Moon in 1971, were close enough to this formation that one can easily picture them glancing at it during their mission. For many, this feature serves as a testament to humanity’s enduring fascination with lunar exploration.
My first encounter with the Lunar Heart occurred on July 13, 2024—a date significant for its proximity to the 53rd anniversary of Apollo 15’s Moon landing. Equipped with a 3-inch Tele Vue refractor, I began scanning the lunar terminator at 225x magnification. As the splendid feature became evident, I felt a rush of excitement, as the Moon was at 48 percent illumination, precisely seven days and 19 hours past New Moon, with a colongitude of 359Ëš.
This enchanting Heart formation spans nearly the entire Palus Putredinis region, intriguingly dubbed the “Marsh of Decay,” which stretches roughly 110 miles (180 kilometers) from east to west. It is flanked by numerous prominent lunar landmarks, including the Archimedes crater to the west and the Hadley-Apennine region to the east. To the north, a prominent feature of highland material near the Autolycus crater adds to its complexity, while a U-shaped ridge provides a defining boundary just south of Hadley Rille.
The Palus Putredinis region boasts captivating geological formations. The northwest lobe of the Heart, for instance, is characterized by a network of braided wrinkle ridges—volcanic formations that have emerged from tectonic activity. At the northern end of these ridges lies the crescent-shaped Spurr crater, which has lost much of its northern rim, inundated by ancient lava flows. To the south, additional volcanic rille systems, likely formed from past lava channels, punctuate the landscape, including the intriguing Rima Bradley, which intersects the Heart.
The historical significance of this region cannot be overlooked. On September 13, 1959, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 2 marked a pivotal moment in space exploration by becoming the first man-made object to impact the Moon, landing close to the northern portion of the Heart, just southwest of Autolycus. Fast forward twelve years, and Apollo 15 would land about 160 miles (260 km) from this historic site, further solidifying our connection to the Moon.
For observers eager to experience this phenomenon, the Moon will reach the 48 percent illumination on February 5, 2025, at a colongitude of 353.5Ëš. Subsequent opportunities occur on March 7 and April 5, with colongitudes of 358.5Ëš and 351.9Ëš, respectively. On clear nights, stargazers are encouraged to focus their telescopes on the enchanting Heart of Palus Putredinis. Who knows what inspiration or wonder this lunar spectacle may ignite?
As you plan your skywatching, consider sharing your experiences and thoughts with others, fostering a communal appreciation of the wonders above.
Source
www.astronomy.com