Valley / rille / scarp

Rima Hyginus

A narrow linear feature crossing the small crater Hyginus near the centre of the near side. It is a more demanding target than the broad maria.

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Rima Hyginus and surrounding lunar terrain in the LROC Wide Angle Camera mosaic
Rima Hyginus · 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.
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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 Rima Hyginus

Locate the surrounding central plains first. The small crater is a useful stepping stone; the rille needs steady air and careful focus.

Finding the region

Look at 7.62° N, 6.77° 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

Locate a larger nearby landmark before increasing magnification. Fine channels and slopes demand steady air and favourable illumination. The marker identifies the catalogue centre, not the complete outline of the formation.

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 Rima Hyginus in the atlas

IAU / USGS Gazetteer

Official feature record

View original record ↗
Approved name
Rima Hyginus
Feature classification
Rima, rimae
Catalogue dimension / extent
203.96 km
Centre latitude
7.62° N
Centre longitude
6.77° E
Name origin (Gazetteer)
Named from nearby crater.

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 Montes ApenninusMountain range

Montes Apenninus

A mountain arc bordering southeastern Mare Imbrium. Its ridges and peaks cast long shadows across the adjacent plain under low sunlight.

LROC photograph of SchroterImpact crater

Schroter

A worn crater in the central near-side region, north of the Sinus Medii area. It is a subtler target than the major bright ray craters.

LROC photograph of PtolemaeusImpact crater

Ptolemaeus

A large, relatively smooth-floored crater near the centre of the visible lunar disc. Its broad outline is a useful landmark in the central highlands.

LROC photograph of EratosthenesImpact crater

Eratosthenes

A sharply defined crater at the southwestern end of Montes Apenninus. It provides a useful landmark between the mountain chain and the plains farther west.