Geological Map of Copernicus Crater, Moon

Copernicus Crater is a large, prominent lunar impact crater located on the Moon's near side. It is named after the Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who developed the heliocentric model of the solar system in the 16th century. Copernicus Crater has a diameter of approximately 93 kilometers (58 miles) and is estimated to be about 800 million years old.

The geology of Copernicus Crater is characterized by its central peak, which rises to a height of about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) above the crater floor. The peak is made up of uplifted rocks that were originally located deep beneath the surface of the Moon. These rocks were uplifted by the impact that formed the crater and are believed to be part of the Moon's ancient highlands crust.

The crater floor is covered by a dark, flat plain known as a mare. This mare material is relatively young, geologically speaking, and has a radiometric age of around 1.1 billion years. The mare material is composed of basaltic lava flows that flooded the crater after the impact. These lava flows originated from volcanic eruptions in the nearby Imbrium Basin.

The walls of Copernicus Crater are steep and rugged, with terraces and landslides visible in many places. The rocks here are believed to be part of the Moon's ancient highlands crust, similar to the rocks in the central peak. The walls of the crater have been eroded by various geological processes over time, including landslides, impact gardening, and erosion by micrometeoroids.

Copernicus Crater is one of the most studied craters on the Moon, and has been the focus of numerous scientific investigations over the years. It is a popular target for telescopic observation and has been imaged by numerous lunar orbiters and landers, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Apollo missions. Its geology provides important insights into the history and composition of the Moon, and has helped scientists better understand the processes that shaped our nearest celestial neighbor.

Geological Map of Tsiolkovskiy Crater, Moon

 Tsiolkovskiy is a large lunar impact crater located in the southern hemisphere of the Moon. It is named after the Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, who is considered one of the fathers of astronautics and spaceflight. The crater is approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) in diameter and is located near the lunar south pole, within the Aitken Basin.

The geology of Tsiolkovskiy crater is characterized by its complex and varied terrain. The crater is surrounded by a massive ejecta blanket that extends for hundreds of kilometers, consisting of debris that was thrown out of the crater during the impact event that formed it. This ejecta blanket is composed of various types of rock, including breccias (rocks made of broken fragments) and basaltic lava flows.

Within the crater itself, there are several distinctive geological features. The crater floor is covered by a dark, flat plain known as a mare, which is composed of basaltic lava flows that flooded the crater after the impact. The mare material is relatively young, geologically speaking, and has a radiometric age of around 3.2 billion years.

In the center of the crater is a complex peak, which rises to a height of around 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) above the crater floor. This peak is composed of a mixture of impact melt, breccias, and other rock types, and is thought to have formed during the impact event as molten material was forced up from the center of the crater.

The walls of Tsiolkovskiy crater are steep and rugged, with terraces and landslides visible in many places. The rocks here are thought to be much older than the mare basalts on the crater floor, and are believed to be part of the Moon's ancient highlands crust.

Tsiolkovskiy crater is a fascinating geological feature that provides important insights into the history and composition of the Moon. Its complex and varied terrain offers a rich target for future exploration and scientific study.

Geological Map of Aram Chaos Crater, Mars

 

The Aram Chaos crater is a large impact crater located on the Martian surface, in the southern hemisphere of Mars. It is one of the largest impact craters on the planet, with a diameter of approximately 280 kilometers (174 miles).

The geology of Aram Chaos is complex and fascinating. The crater is thought to have been formed by a large meteorite impact around 3.5 to 4 billion years ago. The impact would have created a massive explosion, sending shock waves through the Martian crust and creating a large circular depression.

Over time, water from melted ice and other sources may have flowed into the crater, creating a series of channels and valleys. Some of these channels are thought to have been formed by water flowing underground, while others may have been created by large floods or even melting glaciers.

In addition to water, the Aram Chaos region is also rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, and aluminum. These minerals can be seen in the colorful rock formations that make up the walls of the crater.

One of the most interesting features of Aram Chaos is a large plateau in the center of the crater known as the "Aramid Plateau." This plateau is thought to have been formed by the deposition of sediments over millions of years, creating a flat-topped hill that rises above the surrounding terrain.

The geology of Aram Chaos is a testament to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the Martian surface. By studying the rocks and formations within the crater, scientists can gain a better understanding of the history of Mars and how it has evolved over time.

Lunar Features: Mare Crisium 3D Rendition

 

Mare Crisium, also known as the "Sea of Crises," is a large, circular basin on the near side of the Moon. It is one of several basins on the Moon that were formed by ancient impact events, and it is believed to be around 3.9 billion years old.

The Mare Crisium basin is approximately 740 kilometers (460 miles) in diameter and is surrounded by a ring of mountains that rise up to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) in height. The basin is filled with dark, basaltic lava flows that give it its characteristic dark appearance. These lava flows are believed to have originated from volcanic activity that occurred after the impact that created the basin.

One of the most interesting features of Mare Crisium is a small, isolated mountain range located near the center of the basin. This range, known as the Montes Taurus, rises up to 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) above the surrounding plains and is believed to have formed from material that was uplifted during the impact that created the basin.

Mare Crisium has been the site of several robotic missions over the years, including the Soviet Union's Luna 24 mission in 1976, which returned samples of lunar soil to Earth for analysis. More recently, the Chinese space agency's Chang'e 5 mission in 2020 also visited the region, landing on the lunar surface and collecting samples before returning them to Earth.

Overall, Mare Crisium is a fascinating feature on the Moon that provides important insights into the geological processes that have shaped our nearest neighbor in space. Its distinctive appearance and unique features make it a popular destination for lunar exploration and a subject of ongoing scientific research.

Scale of Valles Marineris (Mars) compared to the Pakistan- Storymap

                                                                                                                       Image source: Esri Mars Explorer

 Pakistan is a country located in South Asia and has an area of approximately 796,095 square kilometers (307,374 square miles). Valles Marineris is a vast canyon system located on Mars and has a total area of approximately 4,000,000 square kilometers (1,500,000 square miles).

To put this into perspective, the area of Valles Marineris on Mars is more than five times larger than the entire area of Pakistan. This means that Valles Marineris is an incredibly vast feature that would cover a significant portion of Pakistan's land area if it were located on Earth.

Valles Marineris is one of the most prominent and impressive features on Mars, stretching over 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) long, up to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) deep, and up to 200 kilometers (120 miles) wide. In contrast, Pakistan is a relatively small country by global standards, ranking 33rd in the world in terms of land area.

Overall, the comparison between Pakistan and Valles Marineris highlights the vastness and scale of geological features on other planets, as well as the diversity and complexity of our universe.

Planetary Cartography: A merger of Science & Art

Cartography is the science and art of map-making, and it has been used for centuries to help us understand our world and the objects in it. In recent years, cartography has expanded beyond Earth and into the realm of planetary science, allowing us to create detailed maps of planets and their features.

Planetary cartography involves the use of data from spacecraft, telescopes, and other instruments to create maps that show the surface features of planets, such as mountains, craters, and valleys. These maps can also show the locations of geological features, such as faults, lava flows, and sedimentary layers. One of the most important tools for planetary cartography is remote sensing. This involves the use of instruments on spacecraft and telescopes to gather data about a planet's surface from a distance. For example, spacecraft like NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) use cameras, spectrometers, and radar to gather data about the Martian surface. This data can then be used to create high-resolution maps of the planet.

Another important tool for planetary cartography is geographic information systems (GIS). GIS software allows scientists to analyze and manipulate planetary data in a variety of ways, allowing them to create detailed maps and 3D models of planetary surfaces. This technology also allows for the integration of multiple data sources, such as images, topographic data, and spectral data, to create comprehensive maps.

Cartography of planets can reveal a great deal about the history and geology of these objects. For example, detailed maps of Mars have revealed evidence of past water activity, including ancient river channels and lakes. Similarly, maps of Jupiter's moon Europa have shown evidence of a subsurface ocean, which could potentially support life. In addition to scientific research, planetary cartography has also been used for educational and outreach purposes. Maps and 3D models of planets can help students and the general public better understand the geology and geography of these objects, as well as the missions that have explored them.

In conclusion, cartography of planets is a fascinating field that combines science, technology, and art to create detailed maps of the surfaces of other worlds. The use of remote sensing and GIS technology has revolutionized our ability to understand these objects and has opened up new avenues for exploration and discovery. Whether for scientific research or educational purposes, planetary cartography will continue to play an important role in our exploration and understanding of the solar system and beyond.

 About Me

Hello, My name is Hamad Yousof. I am a graduate student in Space Sciences from Pakistan with wide interests in cartography, space science and understanding our world.
The blog is my niche to post some interesting maps and show visitors my cartographic work, as I have a passion to find new ways to visualize our world and the worlds around us. This blog is a place to curate my work.