1966 USGS Geologic Map of the Moon: Mare Serenitatis Region

Description

1966 USGS Geologic Map of the Moon: Mare Serenitatis Region
WE SELL ONLY ORIGINAL ANTIQUE MAPS - NOT REPRODUCTIONS
Title:
Geologic Map of the Mare Serentatis Region of the Moon by M. H. Carr.
Description:
A stunning full color geologic map of the Moon's Mare Serenitatis, or ‘Sea of Serenity' - better known to us as the ‘right eye' of the Man in the Moon. The map's ghostly purple, punctuated by small, regular impact craters lends the map an eerily alien, worldly silence. Includes a sectional view of the mare from Montes Haemus to Posidonius (from the side), detailed text on the formation of the area's geology, extremely detailed ‘metadata' explanating the mapmaking methodologies and symbols employed, and an index map showing the area's location on the Moon.
This map represents a breath-taking leap forward not only in selenography (the study of the moon), begun in the late 1400s, but also in the record of humankind's fearless exploration of the world(s) around and beyond us.
The Mare Serenitatis is a
lunar mare
, or large, dark basaltic plain, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. It is bordered by Mare Imbrium, Mare Tranquillitatis, and Mare Vaporum. These dark spots were dubbed
maria
, or ‘seas,' by early astronomers who mistook them for actual seas. These iron-rich plains are less reflective than the ‘highlands' and thus appear dark to the naked eye. Mare Serenitatis is not only one of the lunar
maria
but also a mascon, or area of massive gravitational attraction. Both Luna 21 and Apollo 17 landed near the Mare Serenitatis.
It is believed that most of the moon's craters were formed approximately 3.9 billion years ago, during a period of intense bombardment in the Inner Solar System. The cratering rate fluctuates as collisions in the asteroid belt send fragment clusters into the Inner Solar System. This map might show hypervelocity impact craters caused by the same cluster of asteroids that, 65 million years ago, caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
As humans wouldn't land on the moon until 1969, how were we able to map its geology? The map's extraordinarily detailed metadata explains that the cartographers used photos dating back to 1960 (remember the series of Ranger missions in the mid-60's?), with relief created by measuring shadows, combined with an assumed sun angle and an assumed base elevation. The geology was arrived at from observing differences in, and layering of topographical forms, and in varying albedo (amount of reflected sunlight), both of which indicate different underlying materials formed under different processes. Goals of this work included the identification of suitable moon landing locations, and sources of oxygen for possible in establishing a more permanent lunar base.
This map would be a great companion piece to the other maps in the
Geologic Atlas of the Moon,
especially those forming the face of the Man in the Moon. It would also wonderfully complement early explorers' maps, or any of the plates from Burritt's famous 1856
Atlas to Illustrate the Geography of the Heavens
, one of writer H.P. Lovecraft's most prized possessions.
Created by M.H. Carr and published as plate I-489 in the United States Geological Survey's
Geological Atlas of the Moon
.
Size:
Printed area measures 28 inches high by 49 inches wide.
Condition:
Very Good.
Shipping:
Shipping rates are not negotiable. Items are shipped within three business days of receiving payment. We are happy to consolidate shipping where possible. The following shipping options are available:
1. FedEx Overnight (45 USD). USA Only. Signature Required.
2. FedEx Ground or Home Delivery (15 USD). USA Only. 1 - 10 days. If your address is a P.O. Box and cannot ship FedEx we will ship USPS Priority and, while we ship promptly, recent postal personnel cutbacks mean that delivery may take time. Signature Required.
3. FedEx International or DHL International EXPRESS (45 USD).
4. We can use your FedEx Account.
Customs:
International buyers are responsible for paying duty and taxes on delivery. DHL or FedEx will contact the buyer by telephone to arrange tax payment if it is levied. Duty varies by country and we cannot predict the amount you will be charged. Some countries are duty free, others are not. Typically, a customs duty and/or VAT tax will be assessed on all parcels to continental Europe. Sometimes duty or tax is due in China, but is seems very random. Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan have never assessed duty on a map we shipped. Maps shipped to the UK should be duty free as educational materials, but from time to time duty of 5% is assessed incorrectly by the UK customs agents.
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Other Services
Conservation Framing:
Geographicus recommends basic conservation framing services for any antique paper. We do not offer this service.
Antique Map Restoration:
Geographicus can repair and restore your antique map. Services include deacidification cleaning flattening and backing.
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