Mons Hadley
Mons Hadley rises from the northern portion of the Montes Apenninus range on the Moon. This massif reaches a height above the adjacent plain, though exact figures vary in different sources. The mountain spans a maximum diameter of 25 km at its base. It sits within the northern hemisphere of Earth's satellite. To the southwest lies a valley that later became a historic landing site. The terrain here is rugged and steep compared to surrounding plains.
To the southwest of Mons Hadley is a valley that served as the landing site for the Apollo 15 expedition. Astronauts visited Mons Hadley Delta, which stands about 3.5 km above the valley floor. They collected samples from this smaller peak during their lunar surface operations. Mons Hadley itself was only photographed from the surface by the crew. The mission took place in the early 1970s when humans first walked on another world. These photographs provided critical data for future geological studies of the region.
Rima Hadley follows a course generally to the northeast toward the Mons Hadley peak. This sinuous rille begins at the crater Béla, an elongated formation with its long axis oriented to the northwest. The feature lies within a diameter of 80 km across the lunar surface. Selenographic coordinates place it at 25.0° N and 3.0° E. It runs adjacent to the mountain peaks that define the area. The winding channel suggests ancient lava flows or tectonic activity shaped the landscape over billions of years.
These features were named after the English mathematician John Hadley who lived between 1682 and 1744. He contributed significantly to optics and navigation instruments during his lifetime. The International Astronomical Union assigned these names to honor his scientific legacy. The mountain and the nearby rille share this common dedication. Such naming practices preserve historical figures alongside celestial landmarks. No other person bears the same level of recognition in this specific sector of the Moon.
Four small craters near this rille have been assigned names by the IAU. These include Béla which measures 11 by 2 km and Carlos spanning 4 km. Jomo extends 7 km while Taizo covers 6 km. Each name source reflects different cultural backgrounds including Hungarian, Spanish, African, and Japanese masculine names. Satellite craters are identified on lunar maps by placing a letter on the side closest to Mons Hadley. One crater formerly known as Hadley A was renamed Joy in 1973. This change standardized nomenclature across global astronomical records.
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Common questions
Where is Mons Hadley located on the Moon?
Mons Hadley rises from the northern portion of the Montes Apenninus range within the northern hemisphere of Earth's satellite. Selenographic coordinates place it at 25.0° N and 3.0° E.
When did astronauts visit Mons Hadley Delta during a lunar mission?
Astronauts visited Mons Hadley Delta during the Apollo 15 expedition in the early 1970s when humans first walked on another world. They collected samples from this smaller peak which stands about 3.5 km above the valley floor to the southwest.
Who was John Hadley honored by naming Mons Hadley after him?
The mountain and nearby rille were named after the English mathematician John Hadley who lived between 1682 and 1744. He contributed significantly to optics and navigation instruments during his lifetime before the International Astronomical Union assigned these names to honor his scientific legacy.
What are the dimensions of the craters near Rima Hadley?
Four small craters near this rille have been assigned names including Béla which measures 11 by 2 km and Carlos spanning 4 km. Jomo extends 7 km while Taizo covers 6 km with each name source reflecting different cultural backgrounds.
How does Rima Hadley relate to the crater Béla?
Rima Hadley follows a course generally to the northeast toward the Mons Hadley peak beginning at the crater Béla. This sinuous rille lies within a diameter of 80 km across the lunar surface and runs adjacent to the mountain peaks that define the area.