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Sea of Tranquility
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Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare Serenitatis regions of the Moon
Watch Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins travel to the Moon on Apollo 11
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Sea of Tranquility

lunar feature
Also known as: Mare Tranquillitatis
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Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare Serenitatis regions of the Moon
Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare Serenitatis regions of the Moon Multispectral image of the Moon's Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare Serenitatis regions (upper left and lower right, respectively) derived from observations by the Galileo spacecraft in December 1992 during its second lunar flyby. North is approximately to the lower right. The image was constructed from multiple exposures made at different wavelengths, and its colors are enhanced to highlight surface geochemical differences. The blue hue of Tranquillitatis indicates enrichment in titanium, whereas the deep orange of Serenitatis indicates comparatively low titanium concentration. Low iron and titanium concentrations in the flanking highlands show as red.

The Sea of Tranquility, or Mare Tranquillitatis, is a prominent lunar feature visible from Earth. It is one of the largest features on the Moon and is characterized by dark plains formed by ancient lava flows. These plains, known as maria (singular: mare), are distinct from the Moon's lighter-colored highlands, or terra.1

While ancient observers believed these dark areas were seas, modern understanding confirms they are basins filled with congealed lava. The Sea of Tranquility was famously the landing site for the Apollo 11 mission. The lunar surface, including the maria and highlands, is shaped by both volcanic activity and impacts from celestial bodies. The maria show less cratering than the highlands, indicating they are younger formations.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. 12 Moon Words For A Lunar Travelogue | Mare
  2. Moon - Large-scale features

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