Mons Rümker

Mons Rümker
Named for Karl L. C. Rümker
View of Mons Rümker from Apollo 15
Highest point
Elevation1.3 km (0.81 mi) 4,265 ft (1,300 m)
ListingLunar mountains
Coordinates40°48′N 58°06′W / 40.8°N 58.1°W / 40.8; -58.1
Naming
English translationRümker Mountain
Language of nameLatin
Geography
Geology
Mountain typeLunar dome
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter image

Mons Rümker is an isolated volcanic formation that is located in the northwest part of the Moon's near side, at selenographic coordinates 40.8° N, 58.1° W. The feature forms a large, elevated mound in the northern part of the Oceanus Procellarum.[1] The mound has a diameter of 70 kilometres, and climbs to a maximum elevation of about 1,300 metres above the surrounding plain.[1] It was named after Karl L. C. Rümker.

Mons Rümker has a concentration of 22 lunar domes—rounded bulges across the top, some of which contain a small craterlet at the peak. These are wide, circular features with a gentle slope rising in elevation a few hundred meters to the midpoint.[1] Lunar domes are similar to shield volcanoes, and are the result of lava erupting from localized vents followed by relatively slow cooling.[2]

Mons Rümker is surrounded by a scarp that separates it from the adjacent mare. The plateau rises to an altitude of 900 m in the west, 1,100 m in the south and 650 m in the east. The surface of Mons Rümker is relatively uniform, with a strong spectroscopic signature of lunar mare material. The estimated volume of lava extruded to create this feature is 1,800 km3.[3]

A young lava plain to the northeast from Mons Rümker, named Statio Tianchuan, was the landing site of the Chang'e 5 mission.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Zhao, Jiannan; Xiao, Long; Qiao, Le; Glotch, Timothy D.; Huang, Qian (June 27, 2017). "The Mons Rümker volcanic complex of the Moon: A candidate landing site for the Chang'E-5 mission". Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. 122 (7): 1419–1442. Bibcode:2017JGRE..122.1419Z. doi:10.1002/2016je005247. ISSN 2169-9097. S2CID 9926094.
  2. ^ "A Little Guide to Lunar Domes - Sky & Telescope". Sky & Telescope. 2016-09-07. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  3. ^ Wöhler, C.; Lena, R.; Pau, K. C. (March 12–16, 2007). "The Lunar Dome Complex Mons Rümker: Morphometry, Rheology, and Mode of Emplacement" (PDF). Proceedings Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII. League City, Texas: Dordrecht, D. Reidel Publishing Co. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  4. ^ Jones, Andrew (8 July 2021). "China's Chang'e 5 moon landing site finally has a name". Space.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.

40°48′N 58°06′W / 40.800°N 58.100°W / 40.800; -58.100