Montes Spitzbergen

Montes Spitzbergen
Spitzbergen Mountains
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter image
Highest point
ListingLunar mountains
Coordinates34°25′N 5°13′W / 34.42°N 5.22°W / 34.42; -5.22
Naming
Native nameMontes Spitzbergen (Latin)
Geography
Map
Locationthe Moon
Montes Spitzbergen in a Selenochromatic Image (Si)
Oblique view from Apollo 15, facing north
Another view from Apollo 15, with Mons Pico β on the horizon

The Montes Spitzbergen (Spitzbergen Mountains) is a solitary mountain chain in the eastern Mare Imbrium of the Moon. It is located about 80 km to the north of the flooded crater Archimedes. The range trends from south to north, consisting of a number of peaks separated by lava-flooded valleys, and has a maximum width of about 25 km. It is thought to be the surviving rim or inner ring of an impact crater that has been buried under magma flows.[citation needed]

The range was named by Mary Blagg for its resemblance to the jagged terrestrial mountains of the Spitzbergen island group. The name was approved by the International Astronomical Union in 1961.[1]

  1. ^ Montes Spitzbergen, Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN)