Mare · Eastern near side

Mare Crisium

A distinct circular basaltic basin easily recognised near the eastern limb of the Moon.

Feature typeMare

RegionEastern near side

Approximate scale555 km

Location17°N, 59°E region

LOLA topographic map of Mare Crisium showing the basin floor and surrounding rim. Credit: NASA/GSFC. View the NASA source and download information.

Mare CrisiumBasalt-filled impact basin · schematic locator aid

The schematic separates the landform concept from the spacecraft or telescope image above.

What you are looking at

Mare Crisium is a dark, roughly oval isolated mare near the eastern limb of the near side. Mountainous basin margins enclose smooth basalt plains crossed by subtle ridges and small craters.

How it formed and changed

An ancient impact created the basin and later basaltic eruptions flooded its interior. Its isolation from the larger central maria makes its outline especially easy to recognise.

What scientists learn here

Orbital datasets constrain basalt composition, basin structure and surface ages. In 2025 Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1 landed in Mare Crisium, adding modern in-situ measurements from the region.

How to find and observe Mare Crisium

Mare Crisium is one of the easiest lunar landmarks for beginners. Because it lies toward the eastern limb, libration changes its apparent foreshortening from month to month. Binoculars show the mare clearly and telescopes reveal its boundary and interior craters.

Nearby landmarks and exploration context

Mare Fecunditatis lies to the south-west. The isolated position of Crisium makes it a useful anchor for learning lunar geography.

Why this feature matters

Its isolated geometry makes it a useful observing landmark and it became the landing region for Blue Ghost Mission 1.

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