Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2026 January 15
    [2]See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest
                        resolution version available.

                          Plato and the Lunar Alps
                Image Credit & [3]Copyright: [4]Luigi Morrone

   Explanation: The dark-floored, 95 kilometer wide crater Plato and
   sunlit peaks of the [5]lunar Alps (Montes Alpes) are highlighted in
   this [6]this sharp telescopic snapshot of the Moon's surface. While the
   [7]Alps of planet Earth were uplifted over millions of years as
   continental plates slowly collided, the lunar Alps were likely formed
   by a sudden collision that created the giant [8]impact basin known as
   the [9]Mare Imbrium or Sea of Rains. The mare's generally smooth,
   lava-flooded floor is seen below the bordering mountain range. The
   prominent straight feature cutting through the mountains is the
   [10]lunar Alpine Valley (Vallis Alpes). Joining the Mare Imbrium and
   northern Mare Frigoris (Sea of Cold) the valley extends toward the
   upper right, about 160 kilometers long and up to 10 kilometers wide. Of
   course, the large, bright [11]lunar alpine mountain below and right of
   Plato crater is named [12]Mont Blanc. Lacking an atmosphere, not to
   mention [13]snow, the lunar Alps are probably not an ideal location for
   a winter [14]vacation. Still, a 150 pound skier [15]would weigh a mere
   25 pounds [16]on the Moon.

                     Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space
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    Authors & editors: [28]Robert Nemiroff ([29]MTU) & [30]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([31]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [32]Specific rights apply.
            [33]NASA Web Privacy, [34]Accessibility, [35]Notices;
                A service of: [36]ASD at [37]NASA / [38]GSFC,
                         [39]NASA Science Activation
                           & [40]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2601/2025-12-29-1656_Plato_Lmorr.jpg
   3. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
   4. https://app.astrobin.com/u/Luigi_morrone_1979#gallery
   5. https://lroc.im-ldi.com/images/714
   6. https://app.astrobin.com/u/Luigi_morrone_1979?i=okquoj#gallery
   7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps
   8. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar/missions/orbiter/lunar_orbiter/impact_basin/
   9. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap001228.html
  10. https://lroc.im-ldi.com/images/55
  11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Blanc_(Moon)
  12. https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/mt-blanc-3620/
  13. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050224.html
  14. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap010713.html
  15. http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/index.html
  16. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/artemis/
  17. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260114.html
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  20. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  21. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  23. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  26. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=260115
  27. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260116.html
  28. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  29. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  30. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  31. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  32. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  33. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  34. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  35. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  36. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  37. https://www.nasa.gov/
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  39. https://science.nasa.gov/learners
  40. http://www.mtu.edu/