Sinus Lunicus

Sinus Lunicus

Coordinates	31°48′N 1°24′W / 31.8°N 1.4°W / 31.8; -1.4Coordinates: 31°48′N 1°24′W / 31.8°N 1.4°W / 31.8; -1.4
Diameter	126 km (78 mi)
Eponym	Bay of Lunik

Sinus Lunicus (latin for "Bay of Lunik") is an area of lunar mare along the southeast edge of the Mare Imbrium on the earth's moon. It is formed by the area enclosed by the prominent craters Archimedes to the southwest, Autolycus to the southeast, and Aristillus to the northeast. The bay is open to the northwest, and faces the Montes Spitzbergen, a small chain of mountains.

This bay was named the Bay of Lunik by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1970 to honor the landing site of the first space probe to make contact with another interplanetary body. The Luna 2 landed in the gap between the craters Archimedes and Autolycus on September 14, 1959.

The official selenographic coordinates of Sinus Lunicus are 31.8° N and 1.4° W, with a diameter of 126 kilometers. The most distinctive features on the bay are the complex outer ramparts of ejecta from the craters Aristillus and Autolycus, and the small satellite craters Archimedes C and Archimedes D. The albedo of the surface is brightened by overlapping ray material from Autolycus and Aristillus.

Lunar maria

Oceanus	Procellarum

Mare	Anguis Australe Cognitum Crisium Fecunditatis Frigoris Humboldtianum Humorum Imbrium Ingenii Insularum Marginis Moscoviense Nectaris Nubium Orientale Serenitatis Smythii Spumans Tranquillitatis Undarum Vaporum

Lacus	Aestatis Autumni Bonitatis Doloris Excellentiae Felicitatis Gaudii Hiemalis Lenitatis Luxuriae Mortis Oblivionis Odii Perseverantiae Solitudinis Somniorum Spei Temporis Timoris Veris

Sinus	Aestuum Amoris Asperitatis Concordiae Fidei Honoris Iridum Lunicus Medii Roris Successus

Paludes	Epidemiarum Putredinis Somni

List of maria on the Moon

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