Plot of nearside locations of DHC groups in ALPO 1976 catalogue using LTVT

Nearside Dark Halo Carters, Dark Mantle Regions and Cryptomaria for the Amateur Lunar Observer - Observing Lists and Charts
fisherka@csolutions.net Org. 1/31/2007

Go to: DHC Group Charts | DHC List All by Lat-Long (N=194) | DHC List All by Group (N=194) | ALPO 1976 DHC List Official UAI | Dark Mantle Region Charts (N=15) | Dark Mantle Region List | Cryptomaria Chart and List (N=8) | LTVT Feature Plotting Files | References

Summary

Over fifty finder charts and images and updated feature lists are presented to aid the amateur lunar observer to locate, image and enjoy dark haloed craters and dark mantle regions.

In November 2006, the ALPO Lunar Observing Section suggested reviving its dark haloed crater (DHC) observing program. (Benton 2006). Benton suggested a literature review update to the 1976 ALPO DHC observing list. (Id). The 1976 ALPO Dark Haloed Crater observing list was republished and has been previously digitized. (Dembowski 2006, UAI 2004). The 1976 ALPO observing list of 83 known and suspected DHCs contains feature positions in a data format; no feature was associated with letter satellite names. It was felt that a more natural language feature table, an updated a post-1976 literature search and finder charts, might aid amateur interest in DHC observing generally and the ALPO announcement.

A 194 entry, updated DHC observing list was developed.

List Development

In professional journal literature, two whole nearside lunar maps showing the distribution of known dark-haloed craters have been produced, but no DHC catalogues were published. Fig. 6 in Schultz and Spudis 1979, Fig. 2 in Salisbury, Alder and Smalley 1968). A further journal literature review located a supplemental catalogue of over 100 DHCs on the western limb and three miscellaneous DHC identifications. (Antonenko 1999a, Giguere et al 1998).

These sources were consolidated into a feature list of 194 items. (Figures 1, 2 and 3 below, DHC List All by Lat-Long (N=194)). Because the list is provisional, duplications have not been removed. Feature identification numbers were assigned in order to enhance referencing of features. For ease of reading, many of DHC data characteristics listed in the original 1976 ALPO catalogue were converted to natural language comments, e.g. - the shape of the halo and whether it is located on a mare or in a crater. The positions of these features were charted in Virtual Moon Atlas and Mosher's and Bondo's Lunar Terminator Visualization Tool (LTVT) and where applicable, DHC features corresponding to satellite craters were assigned lettered satellite crater catalogue identifications. In the revised list presented here, 78 DHCs are identified either as being inside a crater or by a satellite feature lettered name.

All of the Antonenko designated DHCs on the far western limb may not be telescopically visible from Earth. Antonenko designated as DHCs, some craters where the halo has faded but the dark mare layer is visible inside the crater. Since this list is intended to be provisional - that is a list of potential targets whose telescopic visibility should be resolved - no attempt was made to mark such problematic DHCs. In general, they consist of a few features limited to the far western limb in the West Humorum and Procellarum DHC regions.

DHCs in clusters were assigned informal DHC group names by this author. 21 DHC group names were assigned. (Figure 2).

Thirty-five DHC finder charts were developed using LTVT and Clementine color albedo images as an aid to locating these features. (USGS 2006). These charts and images are presented below. For each DHC region, three aids are provided: a labeled finder chart, an unlabeled USGS Clementine color albedo image for the corresponding region, and observing planning data including selenographic position, lunar age when the terminator crosses the region and the applicable Rükl chart number. Where applicable, a cross-reference to Lunar Aeronautical Chart (LAC), LTO and USGS Geologic Atlas of the Moon charts is provided. See DHC List All by Lat-Long (N=194). DHCs strongly stand out from the background of Clementine color albedo images.

Excluded from the class of dark halo craters are large craters with dark ejecta blankets and bright rays and dark-rayed craters. (Schultz and Spudis 1979). Large craters with dark ejecta blankets and bright rays include Copernicus, Langrenus, Theophilus, Maunder, and Tycho. Dark-rayed craters include Dionysius. These features are not included in the DHC observing list. Giguere, Hawke and Gaddis et al provide a recent in depth study of the dark-rayed crater Dionysius. (Giguere, Hawke and Gaddis et al 2006).

Building the DHCs list naturally led to study of two DHC related features: dark mantle regions and cryptomaria, i.e. - mares hidden by overburden layers.

Seventeen DMR finder charts - in the form of Clementine color albedo images - are compiled here to aid in locating their positions, along with lunar age and Rükl chart data. From a literature search, a list of 15 nearside dark mantle regions (DMRs) and localized dark mantle deposits (LDMDs) was developed. (Gaddis, Pieters and Hawke 1985). Hawke, Cooms and Gaddis et al developed a nearside whole moon map of over 50 localized dark mantle deposits, but no catalogue of their LDMD feature positions was published. (Fig. 1 in Hawke, Coombs and Gaddis et al 1989). Hawke, Cooms and Gaddis et al LDMDs are not included here.

A list of eight nearside cryptomaria regions was also developed. (Antonenko 1999d, Antonenko 1999c, Table 5,, infra).

Some DHC clusters are related to lunar light plains. A comprehensive catalogue of lunar light plains could not be found in journal literature; a light-plains feature list is not presented here.

Dark Halo Crater and Dark Mantle Region Formation

Formation

Dark halo craters form by two primary processes:

Dark mantled regions and localized dark mantle deposits form as a result of pyroclastic deposition from point sources or linear sources (straight and sinuous rimae) (Head 1976 , Schultz and Spudis 1979, Figure 1.27 in Hiesinger and Head 2006 at pp. 35-36, 40-42). An example of point source pyroclastic dark mantling can be seen in the local dark mantle deposit in crater J. Herschel (Figure 57, below). Examples of linear source pyroclastic deposition include the northern rimae of crater Messala (Figure 42 and Figure 43, below), and the dark mantle regions east of Aristoteles that flank C. Baily, (Figure 46, below), the dark mantle region surrounding Rimae Sulpicius Gallus (Figure 48, below) and the dark mantle region west of Rima Bode (Figure 51, below). Dark mantle regions are distinguished from localized deposits by area. Dark mantle regions have more than 1,000 square kilometers in deposition area; localized dark mantle deposits are less than 1,000 square kilometers in deposition area.

Impact Dark-Haloed Craters as Indicators of Subsurface Layers

Meteor impacts do not uniformly distribute excavated ejecta. Materials ejected at higher velocities travel at a higher angle and to a further distance. Materials ejected at lower velocities travel at a lower angle and for a shorter distance. As the impact excavates the crater deeper, the kinetic energy of the impact is consumed. Materials at ejected from lower levels of a crater receive lower impact energy and travel at lower angles and for shorter distances. (Hiesinger and Head 2006, p. 21). The result on the surface of the Moon is the common pattern of brighter rays - consisting of further traveling surface particles ejected in a curtain early during the impact process - and the ejecta blanket - consisting of deeper excavated materials that travel a shorter distance during the later, lower-energy phase of the impact. Smaller meteors have less energy and excavate smaller, shallower craters; larger meteors have more kinetic energy and excavate larger, deeper craters.

Using these principles of cratering mechanics, dark-haloed craters created by meteoric impacts can be used as indicators of the depth and thickness of subsurface layers on the Moon, where the dark-haloed crater is on a brighter surface plain that overlays a darker subsurface layer. Small craters that do not have a dark halo and that have bright floors have not penetrated the bright surface layer. Larger craters that have dark halos and dark floors have penetrated through the bright surface layer and down into a darker subsurface layer. Still larger craters that have dark halos and bright floors have penetrated both the upper surface layer and through the darker subsurface layer - and down into a third lighter subsurface layer. Craters can become so large that too much light, third deep layer material is excavated. Then the largest crater no longer has a dark halo. (Figure 1 in Antonenko and Head 1995b, Figure 2 in Antonenko, Cintala and Hšrz 1999) .

Because the relationship between crater diameter and depth is well known, the diameter of the crater can be used to infer its depth. In this manner, the depth and extent of surface and subsurface layers can be mapped. (E.g. Antonenko and Yingst 2002).

Dark Halo Crater Finding Aids

Dark Halo Crater Region Overview

As discussed above, DHCs informally were grouped by this author in 20 regions for ease of reference and observing:


Figure 1 - Distribution of all DHCs consolidated from all lists. Image courtesy of LTVT.


Figure 2 - DHCs and DHC groups after ALPO 1976. Image courtesy of LTVT.


Figure 3 - DHCs and DHC groups after Antonenko 1999a. Image courtesy of LTVT.

Detail of Individual Dark Halo Crater Regions

In the following list, click on the thumbnails to see a higher-resolution image.

Endymion DHC Group.


Figure 4 - Endymion DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Endymion dia. 123km


Figure 5 - Endymion DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Endymion dia. 123km

N054.6, E055.2 Rising Age: 2.8 Setting Age: 17.6 Rükl 7

Mare Crisium DHC Group


Figure 6 - Mare Crisium DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. M. Crisium dia. 418km


Figure 7 - Mare Crisium DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Picard dia. 22km

Peirce - N018.3,E053.5 Rising Age: 3.0 Setting Age: 17.8 Rükl 26, 37

Atlas and Hercules DHC Groups


Figure 8 - Atlas and Hercules DHC Groups: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Atlas dia. 87km


Figure 9 - Atlas and Hercules DHC Groups: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Atlas dia. 87km

Atlas - N046.3, E044.6 Rising Age: 3.7 Setting Age: 18.5 Rükl 14, 15

Mare Nectaris DHC Group


Figure 10 - Mare Nectaris DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. M. Nectaris dia. 333km


Figure 11 - Mare Nectaris DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. M. Nectaris dia. 333km

Beaumont L - S014.4, E030.0 Rising Age: 4.9 Setting Age: 19.7 Rükl 47, 58

Apollo 11 DHC Group


Figure 12 - Apollo 11 DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Sabine dia. 30km


Figure 13 - Apollo 11 DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Sabine dia. 30km

Maskelyene B - N002.0, E028.9 Rising Age: 5.0 Setting Age: 19.8 Rükl 47 - See also Rükl 35, 36, 46

Near Sabine - N001.0, E020.6 Rising Age: 5.7 Setting Age: 20.5 Rükl 35

Maurolycus Basin DHC Group


Figure 14 - Maurolycus Basin DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. C. Maurolycus dia. 114km


Figure 15 - Maurolycus Basin DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Maurolycus dia. 114km

Maurolycus A - S043.5, E014.2 Rising Age: 6.2 Setting Age: 21.0 Rükl 66

Rimae Menelaus DHC Group


Figure 16 - Rimae Menelaus DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Menelaus dia. 26km


Figure 17 - Rimae Menelaus DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Menelaus dia. 26km

Menelaus A - N017.1, E013.4 Rising Age: 6.3 Setting Age: 21.0 Rükl 23, 24

Manilus DHC Group


Figure 18 - Manilus DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Manilius dia. 38km


Figure 19 - Manilus DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Manilius dia. 38km

N014.4, E007.5 Rising Age: 6.8 Setting Age: 21.5 Rükl 23, 34

Rimae Theaetetus DHC Group


Figure 20 - Rimae Theaetetus DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Autolycus dia. 39km


Figure 21 - Rimae Theaetetus DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Autolycus dia. 39km

Autolycus K - N031.2, E005.4 Rising Age: 6.9 Setting Age: 21.7 Rükl 12, 13

Triesnecker DHC Group


Figure 22 - Triesnecker DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Triesnecker dia. 26km


Figure 23 - Triesnecker DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Triesnecker dia. 26km

N004.2, E002.2 Rising Age: 7.2, Setting Age: 22.0 Rükl 33, 34

Alphonsus DHC Group


Figure 24 - Alphonsus DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Alphonsus 108km


Figure 25 - Alphonsus DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Alphonsus 108km

Alphonsus R - S014.4, W001.9 Rising Age: 7.5 Setting Age: 22.3 Rükl 44

Eratosthenes DHC Group


Figure 26 - Eratosthenes DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Eratosthenes dia. 58km


Figure 27 - Eratosthenes DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Eratosthenes dia. 58km

Eratosthenes D - N017.5, W010.9 Rising Age: 8.28 Setting Age: 23.04 Rükl 21

Copernicus DHC Group


Figure 28 - Copernicus DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Copernicus dia. 93km


Figure 29 - Copernicus DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Copernicus dia. 93km

Copernicus H - N006.9, W018.3 Rising Age: 8.9 Setting Age: 23.6 Rükl 31, 32

Reinhold and Hortensius DHC Groups


Figure 30 - Reinhold and Hortensius DHC Groups: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to ALPO 1976 DHC list. C. Rheinhold dia. 42km


Figure 31 - Reinhold and Hortensius DHC Groups: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Rheinhold dia. 42km

Hortensius C - N006.0, W026.7 Rising Age: 9.6 Setting Age: 24.3 Rükl 30, 31

Schiller-Schickard and Lacus Excellantiae DHC Groups


Figure 32 - Schiller-Schickard and Lacus Excellantiae DHC Groups: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to Antonenko 1999 DHC list. C. Schickard dia. 206


Figure 33 - Schiller-Schickard and Lacus Excellantiae DHC Groups: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Schickard dia. 206. Image size 6.5 Mb.

Mee C - S045.3, W028.7 Rising Age: 9.7 Setting Age: 24.5 Rükl 62, 61, 70

Drebbel N - S041.3, W052.4 Rising Age: 11.7 Setting Age: 26.4 Rükl 62, 61, 70


Figure 34 - Schickard area: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to Antonenko 1999 DHC list. C. Schickard dia. 206


Figure 35 - Schickard area: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Schickard dia. 206

Schickard C - S045.8, W055.8 Rising Age: 12.0 Setting Age: 26.7 Rükl 62

West Humorum DHC Group


Figure 36 - West Humorum DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to Antonenko 1999 DHC list. C. Gassendi dia. 101km


Figure 37 - West Humorum DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Gassendi dia. 101km

Gassendi G - S016.8, W044.6 Rising Age: 11.04 Setting Age: 25.8 Rükl 51, 52, 50

Crüger C - S016.8, W061.9 Rising Age: 12.5 Setting Age: 27.2 Rükl 50

Porcellarum DHC Group


Figure 38 - Porcellarum DHC Group: Plot of DHCs. Image courtesy of LTVT. Two-digit id nos. corresponds to Antonenko 1999 DHC list. C. Grimaldi dia. 172km


Figure 39 - Porcellarum DHC Group: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Grimaldi dia. 172km

Lohrmann M - S000.5, W068.9 Rising Age: 13.0 Setting Age: 27.8 Rükl 39, 28

Dark Mantle Regions and Localized Dark Mantle Deposits

Dark Mantle Regions Overview


Figure 40 - Distribution of all DMRs and LDMDs. Image courtesy of LTVT.

Detail of Individual Dark Mantle Regions (DMR) and Local Dark Mantle Deposits (LDMD)

In the following list, click on the thumbnails to see a higher-resolution image.

Gauss Dark Mantle Localized Deposit


Figure 41 - Gauss LDMD: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Gauss Dia.: 177km

N036.0, E079.0 Rising Age: 0.9 Setting Age: 15.7 Rükl 16

Messala Dark Mantle Localized Deposit


Figure 42 - Messala LDMD: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Messala Dia. 122km


Figure 43 - Close up of C. Messala northern rimae LDMD showing dark mantling associated with pyroclastics emitted from rimae: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS.

N039.0, E060.0 Rising Age: 2.5 Setting Age: 17.2 Rükl 16

Altas and Franklin Dark Mantle Localized Deposits


Figure 44 - Altas and Franklin LDMDs: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Atlas Dia. 87; C. Franklin Dia. 56

N047.0, E045.0 Rising Age: 3.7 Setting Age: 18.5 Rükl 15

Bohnenberger and Nectaris Northeast Mantle Localized Deposits


Figure 45 - Bohnenberger and Nectaris Northeast LDMD: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Bohnenberger Dia. 33km

S016.0, E040.0 Rising Age: 4.1 Setting Age: 18.9 Rükl 58

Aristoteles East B and East A Dark Mantle Localized Deposits


Figure 46 - Aristoteles East B and East A LDMDs (flanking C. Baily): Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Baily dia. 26km

N050.0, E035.0 Rising Age: 4.5 Setting Age: 19.2 Rükl 6

Taurus-Littrow Dark Mantle Region


Figure 47 - Taurus-Littrow DMR: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Littrow dia. 30km

N020.0, E030.0 Rising Age: 4.9 Setting Age: 19.7 Rükl 24

Sulpicius Gallus Dark Mantle Region


Figure 48 - Sulpicius Gallus DMR: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Sulpicius Gallus dia. 12km

N020.0, E010.0 Rising Age: 6.6 Setting Age: 21.3 Rükl 23

Vaporum Dark Mantle Region


Figure 49 - Vaporum DMR: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. Rima Hyginus length 219km

N010.0, E007.0 Rising Age: 6.8 Setting Age: 21.6 Rükl 34

Palus Putredinis Dark Mantle Region


Figure 50 - Palus Putredinis DMR: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Hadley C dia. 6km

N025.0, E000.0 Rising Age: 7.4 Setting Age: 22.2 Rükl 22

Rima Bode Dark Mantle Region


Figure 51 - Rima Bode DMR: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Bode A dia. 12km

N013.0, W003.0 Rising Age: 7.6 Setting Age: 22.4 Rükl 33

Southern Sinus Aestuum East and West Dark Mantle Regions


Figure 52 - Southern Sinus Aestuum East and West DMRs: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Bode dia. 18km

Sinus Aestuum East - N005.0, W007.0 Rising Age: 8.0 Setting Age: 22.7 Rükl 32
Sinus Aestuum West - N006.0, W015.0 Rising Age: 8.61 Setting Age: 23.38 Rükl 32, 31

Mt. Carpatus Dark Mantle Region


Figure 53 - Mt. Carpatus DMR: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Gay-Lussac dia. 26km


Figure 54 - Mt. Carpatus DMR: Clementine false color regional image. Image courtesy of USGS.

N015.0, W025.0 Rising Age: 9.43 Setting Age: 24.2 Rükl 31

Humorum Dark Mantle Region


Figure 55 - Humorum DMR: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS.


Figure 56 - Humorum DMR: Clementine false color regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Doppelmayer dia. 63km

S030.0, W040.0 Rising Age: 10.7 Setting Age: 25.4 Rükl 52, 51

J. Herschel Dark Mantle Localized Deposit


Figure 57 - J. Herschel DMR: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. J. Herschel dia. 165km

N062.0, W041.0 Rising Age: 10.7 Setting Age: 25.5 Rükl 6

Aristarchus and Montes Harbinger Dark Mantle Regions


Figure 58 - Aristarchus and Montes Harbinger DMRs: Clementine color albedo regional image. Image courtesy of USGS. C. Herodotus dia. 34km

N024.0, W048.0 Rising Age: 11.3 Setting Age: 26.1 Rükl 19, 18

Cryptomaria

This section presents a chart and list of cryptomaria, limited to those nearside cryptomaria accessible by Earth-based amateur telescopes.


Figure 59 - Distribution cryptomaria discussed in text. Image courtesy of LTVT. Boundaries of cryptomaria are approximations. See references in text for more details charts available in journal literature.

Individual cryptomaria

Table 5 - Nearside Cryptomaria Regions after Antonenko (1999) and Giguere (1998) (N=21)
Sort order: dsc Long, dsc Lat Revised 1/27/2007

Name Lat_dec Long_dec OtherSourceSizeDepth Size_maj_source Rükl Chart Lunar Chart Comments_________________________________________
Balmer Basin Cryptomare Region -20.1 70.6 Virtual Moon Atlas 300 60 See Figure 9 in Antonenko and Head 1995a for schematic of basin. Region designation from Antonenko 1999c and Giguere et al 1998. Sq. area = 17,000 km. Diameter take-off using Virtual Moon Atlas.
Taruntius Cryptomare Region 7 47 Rükl 2004 100 37 I722, LAC61 Region designation from Antonenko 1999c and Giguere et al 1998. Sq. area = 8.700 km. Size based on rough Rükl chart take-off.
Hercules Cryptomare Region 44 38 Rükl 2004 100 14 I841, LAC27 Region designation from Antonenko 1999c. Sq. area = 6,200 km. Size based on rough Rükl chart take-off and light plain region between C. Williams C and Hercules D mapped by Grolier on Geologic Atlas Chart I841 (1974).
East Figoris Cryptomare Region 65 35 Virtual Moon Atlas 350 6 I725, LAC13 Region designation from Antonenko 1999c and Giguere et al 1998. Sq. area = 37,000 km.
Maurolycus Basin Cryptomare Region -41.8 14 Virtual Moon Atlas 370 66 I695, LAC113 Region designation from Antonenko 1999c. Sq. area = 16,000 km. Diameter take-off using Virtual Moon Atlas.
Shickard-Schiller Basin Cryptomare Region -44.4 -54.6 Antonenko1999 700 62 I823, LAC110 See Figure 7, Chap. 1, in Antonenko and Head 1999 for map. Region designation from Antonenko 1999c and Giguere et al 1998. Sq. area = 38,000 km.
West Humorum Cryptomare Region -22 -56 Antonenko1999 700 51 I495, I755, LAC92, LAC93 See Figure 10, Chap. 1, in Antonenko and Head 1999 for map. Region designation from Antonenko 1999c and Giguere et al 1998. Sq. area = 23,000 km.
West Procellarum Cryptomare Region 5 -70 Antonenko1999 300 28 See Figure 14, Chap. 1, in Antonenko and Head 1999 for map. Region designation from Antonenko 1999c and Giguere et al 1998. Sq. area = 3,800 km.

LTVT Plotting Aids

Table 6 provides links to LTVT data files that plot DHC and DMR features discussed above.

Table 6. LTVT Supplemental dot names files that plot features described in text
DescriptionDownloadVersion dateDistribution
DHCs - All lists (N=194) Link1/28/2007Figure 1, above
DHCs - ALPO 1976 (N=83)Link1/28/2007Figure 2, above
DHCs - Antonenko 1999a and Giguere et al 1998Link1/28/2007Figure 3, above
Dark Mantle and LDMDs (N=15) Link1/28/2007Figure 40, above
Right-click to download files.

Conclusion

DHCs and LDMDs are a unique class of difficult to image lunar features. They represent a good observing and imaging challenge for the intermediate to advanced lunar amateur. All nearside telescopically observable DHCs probably have not been discovered despite the detailed NASA review during the Apollo era of Lunar Orbiter IV images. DHCs graphically shown on Fig. 6 in Schultz and Spudis 1979 are in need of recovery.

An opportunity exists to expand the observing list presented here based on Fig. 2 in Salisbury, Alder and Smalley 1968. Examining a clear original copy of an original issue of MNRAS containing the article, it is apparent that there at least 30 DHCs identified on Salisbury et al's whole Moon map that are not in the ALPO observing list. An amateur spending one or two weekends with a good reproduction of Salisbury's Figure 2, U.S.G.S. Map-A-Planet, a copy of Rükls, and Virtual Moon Atlas could probably recover these features' positions.

Appendices

Disclaimers

This note is amateur astronomer work product. Corrections to any errors are welcomed and appreciated.

References and further reading:

Dark haloed craters

Antonenko, I. 1999a. Volumes of Cryptomafic Deposits on the Western Limb of the Moon: Implications for Lunar Volcanism. Thesis (in four parts). http://home.the-wire.com/~iant/Thesis/

Antonenko, I. 1999b. Stratigraphy of the Schickard Crater Area, from Clementine Multispectral Data. Chap. 3 in Antonenko 1999a. Thesis. http://home.the-wire.com/~iant/Thesis/chapter3/chapt3.html

Antonenko, I. 1999c. Implications for Lunar Volcanism from Studies of Cryptomafic Deposits. Chap. 4 in Antonenko 1999a. Thesis. http://home.the-wire.com/~iant/Thesis/chapter4/chapt4.html

Antonenko, I. 1999d. Global Estimates of Cryptomare Deposits: Implications for Lunar Volcanism. XXX Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 15-29, 1999, Houston, TX, Abstract No. 1703. 1999LPI....30.1703A http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1999LPI....30.1703A

Antonenko, I. and Head, J.W. 1999. Cryptomafic Deposits on the Western Limb of the Moon: Areal Distribution and Volumetric Significance of Early Imbrian Volcanism as Determined from Dark-Haloed Impact Craters. Chap. 1 in Antonenko 1999a. Thesis. http://home.the-wire.com/~iant/Thesis/chapter1/chapt1.html

Antonenko, I, Cintala, M.J. and Hšrz, F. 1999. Experimental Studies of Dark-Haloed Craters: Implications for the Thickness Measurements of Lunar Cryptomafic Deposits. Chap. 2 in Antonenko 1999a. Thesis. http://home.the-wire.com/~iant/Thesis/chapter2/chapt2.html

Bell, J. F. and Hawke, B. R. 1984. Lunar dark-haloed impact craters - Origin and implications for early mare volcanism. J. Geophy. Res. 89:6899-6910. 1984JGR....89.6899B http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1984JGR....89.6899B

Benton, Jr. J. Nov. 2006. Dark Haloed Craters. The Lunar Observer. ALPO. http://www.zone-vx.com/tlo_back.html

Dembowski, W.M., Assoc. of Lunar and Planetary Observers. 2006. 1976 ALPO Catalogue of Dark Haloed-Craters. Originally published J. ALPO 26(3-4):77-79 (1976). http://www.zone-vx.com/alpo-dhc-catalog

Giguere, T. A., Hawke, B. R., Taylor, G. J. and Lucey, P. G. 1998. Infra.

Head, J. W. and Wilson, L. 1979. Alphonsus-Type Dark-Halo Craters: Morphology, Morphometry, and Eruption Conditions. X Lunar and Planetary Science, Abstract, pp. 525-527. 1979LPI....10..525H http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1979LPI....10..525H

Heiken, Grant H. et al (eds). 1991. Lunar Sourcebook: A User's Guide to the Moon. Cambridge Univ. Press. At pp. 101-102 (Out-of-Print publication web distributed by LPI) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/books.shtml

Salisbury, J.W., Alder, J.E. and Smalley, V.G. 1968. Dark-haloed craters on the Moon. MNRAS 138:245. 1968MNRAS.138..245A http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1968MNRAS.138..245A

Schultz, P.H. and Spudis, P.D. 1979. Evidence for ancient mare volcanism . X Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston, Tex., March 19-23, 1979, pp. 2899-2918. 1979LPSC...10.2899S. (Key Apollo era map of DHCs) http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1979LPSC...10.2899S

U.A.I. Lunar Section. 2006. 1976 ALPO Catalogue of Dark Haloed Craters. http://www.planetmoon.org/dhc.htm

USGS. 2006. Planetary Data Services Map-A-Planet Online Application: Moon. (Clementine color albedo and false color ratio images). http://pdsmaps.wr.usgs.gov/PDS/public/explorer/html/moonpick.htm

Dark mantle regions and local dark mantle deposits

Gaddis, L. R., Pieters, C. M. and Hawke, B. R. 1985. Remote sensing of lunar pyroclastic mantling deposits. Icarus 61:461-465. 1985Icar...61..461G. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1985Icar...61..461G

Hawke, B.R., Coombs, C.R., Gaddis, L.R., Lucey, P.G. and Owensby, P.D. 1989. Remote sensing and geologic studies of localized dark mantle deposits on the moon. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 19th, Houston, TX, Mar. 14-18, 1988, Proceedings (A89-36486 15-91). Cambridge/Houston, TX, Cambridge University Press/Lunar and Planetary Institute, 1989, p. 255-268. 1989LPSC...19..255H . http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1989LPSC...19..255H

Head III, J.W. 1976. Lunar volcanism in space and time. 1976RvGSP..14..265H http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1976RvGSP..14..265H

Heiken, Grant H. et al (eds). 1991. Lunar Sourcebook: A User's Guide to the Moon. Cambridge Univ. Press. At p. 325 (Out-of-Print publication web distributed by LPI) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/books.shtml

Hiesinger, H. and Head III, J.W. 2006. In Jolliff, B.L. et al (eds). New Views of the Moon. Reviews in Minerology & Geochemistry. 60:1-81.

Weitz, C.M.. Head, J.W. and Pieters, C.M. 1998. Lunar regional dark mantle deposits: Geologic, multispectral, and modeling studies. J. Geophy. Res. Volume 103, E10:22725-22760. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1998JGR...10322725W

Cryptomaria

Antonenko, I. 2000. Analysis of Clementine FeO Maps, for the Identification of Cryptomare Deposits. 2000LPI....31.2016A. XXXI Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 13-17, 2000, Houston, Texas, Abstract No. 2016 http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=2000LPI....31.2016A

Antonenko, I. and Head, J. W. 1995a. Cryptomaria in the Schiller-Schickard, Mare Humorum and Western Oceanus Procellarum Areas: Studies Using Dark-Halo Craters. XXV Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held in Houston, TX, 14-18 March 1994., p.35. 1994LPI....25...35A http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1994LPI....25...35A

Antonenko, I. and Head, J. W. 1995b. Estimates of Cryptomare Thickness and Volume in Schiller-Schickard, Mare Humorum and Oceanus Procellarum Areas. ___ Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 26:47. 1995LPI....26...47A http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1995LPI....26...47A

Antonenko, I. and Head, J. W. 1998. Stratigraphy of the Schickard Crater Area, from Clementine Multispectral Data. XXIX Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 16-20, 1998, Houston, TX, Abstract No. 1880. 1998LPI....29.1880A http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1998LPI....29.1880A

Antonenko, I. and Yingst, R. A. 2002. Mare and Cryptomare Deposits in the Schickard Region of the Moon: New Measurements Using Clementine FeO Data. XXXIII Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 11-15, 2002, Houston, Texas, Abstract No.1438. 2002LPI....33.1438A http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=2002LPI....33.1438A

Antonenko, I., Head, J.W., Mustard, J.F and Hawke, B.R. 1995. Criteria for the Detection of Lunar Cryptomaria. Earth, Moon and Planets. 69:141-172. 1995EM&P...69..141A http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1995EM%26P...69..141A

Giguere, T. A., Hawke, B. R., Taylor, G. J. and Lucey, P. G. 1998. Geochemical Studies of Lunar Cryptomare. XXIX Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 16-20, 1998, Houston, TX, Abstract No. 1782. 1998LPI....29.1782G http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=1998LPI....29.1782G

Hawke, B. R., Gillis, J. J., Giguere, T. A., Blewett, D. T., Lawrence, D. J., Lucey, P. G., Smith, G. A., Spudis, P. D. and Taylor, G. J. 2004. XXXV Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 15-19, 2004, League City, Texas, Abstract No.1190 2004LPI....35.1190H http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=2004LPI....35.1190H

Hawke, B. R., Giguere, T. A., Blewett, D. T., Gillis-Davis, J. J. Hagerty, J. J., Lawrence, D. J., Lucey, P. G., Peterson, C. A., Smith, G. A., Spudis, P. D. and Taylor, G. J. 2006. Ancient Volcanism in the Schiller-Schickard Region of the Moon. XXXVII Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 13-17, 2006, League City, Texas, Abstract No.1516. 2006LPI....37.1516H http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=2006LPI....37.1516H

Other

Giguere, T. A., Hawke, B. Ray, Gaddis, L. R., Blewett, D. T., Gillis-Davis, J. J., Lucey, P. G., Smith, G. A., Spudis, P. D., and Taylor, G. J. 2006. Remote sensing studies of the Dionysius region of the Moon. J. Geophys. Res. 111:E06009. 2006JGRE..11106009G. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?bibcode=2006JGRE..11106009G

Mosher, Jim and Bondo, Henrik. 2006. Lunar Terminator Visualization Tool (LTVT) (software) http://inet.uni2.dk/~d120588/henrik/jim_ltvt.html

Schultz, P.H. and Spudis, P.D. 1983. Beginning and End of Lunar Mare Volcanism. Nature 302:233-236.

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Prepared by K. Fisher fisherka@csolutions.net Org. 1/31/2007