Mountain range

Montes Caucasus

A mountain group between Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis. It forms a useful bridge between two major lunar plains.

Open in Moon atlas ↗
Montes Caucasus and surrounding lunar terrain in the LROC Wide Angle Camera mosaic
Montes Caucasus · North up, east right. Open image ↗
NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University · LROC WAC mosaic via USGS. Regional map crop; lighting is fixed and does not follow the selected date.
Show location on the Moon
1.0×
EARTH-FACING HEMISPHERE

Preparing the lunar surface…

NSWESelect a formation · zoom to explore

Lunar north up, with geocentric libration. Full atlas mode shows the entire facing surface; switch to Selected phase for today’s illumination. Choose a different date in the atlas.

How to observe Montes Caucasus

Compare the bright peaks with the darker plains on either side, especially when shadows separate individual ridges.

Finding the region

Look at 37.52° N, 9.93° E on the lunar disc. The chart marker identifies the catalogue centre. Start with a wide field and use the nearby formations below as landmarks.

Equipment & conditions

Follow the chain at moderate magnification. When the Sun is low above the lunar surface, mountain shadows emphasise the relief. Apparent height and contrast change quickly as the terminator moves.

Lighting

For surface relief, try a time when the Sun is low over this region. To compare surface brightness and any bright rays, return under higher illumination. The atlas calculates the solar elevation at the formation’s centre for any selected date.

View Montes Caucasus in the atlas

IAU / USGS Gazetteer

Official feature record

View original record ↗
Approved name
Montes Caucasus
Feature classification
Mons, montes
Catalogue dimension / extent
443.51 km
Centre latitude
37.52° N
Centre longitude
9.93° E
Name origin (Gazetteer)
Named from terrestrial Caucasus Mountains.

Coordinates are selenographic, with east-positive longitude. Dimensions are the Gazetteer’s catalogue values; for extended formations they do not represent a circular crater diameter. Data snapshot: 2026-09-16. Observing guidance above is separate from the official record.

Nearby formations

The four closest catalogue entries, measured from their centres.

LROC photograph of CassiniImpact crater

Cassini

A crater in the northeastern part of Mare Imbrium, close to the Alpine region. Smaller craters inside help distinguish it from nearby formations.

LROC photograph of EudoxusImpact crater

Eudoxus

A northern highland crater immediately south of Aristoteles. Its terraced walls enclose an uneven floor.

LROC photograph of Mare SerenitatisSea / bay

Mare Serenitatis

The Sea of Serenity is a rounded dark plain in the northern near side. Its shape is easy to recognise among the connected lunar maria.

LROC photograph of Vallis AlpesValley / rille / scarp

Vallis Alpes

The Alpine Valley cuts through Montes Alpes near the northeastern edge of Mare Imbrium. The main valley is much easier to detect than the narrow channel within it.