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                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2026 January 15

                          Plato and the Lunar Alps
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Luigi Morrone

   Explanation: The dark-floored, 95 kilometer wide crater Plato and
   sunlit peaks of the lunar Alps (Montes Alpes) are highlighted in this
   this sharp telescopic snapshot of the Moon's surface. While the Alps of
   planet Earth were uplifted over millions of years as continental plates
   slowly collided, the lunar Alps were likely formed by a sudden
   collision that created the giant impact basin known as the Mare Imbrium
   or Sea of Rains. The mare's generally smooth, lava-flooded floor is
   seen below the bordering mountain range. The prominent straight feature
   cutting through the mountains is the lunar Alpine Valley (Vallis
   Alpes). Joining the Mare Imbrium and northern Mare Frigoris (Sea of
   Cold) the valley extends toward the upper right, about 160 kilometers
   long and up to 10 kilometers wide. Of course, the large, bright lunar
   alpine mountain below and right of Plato crater is named Mont Blanc.
   Lacking an atmosphere, not to mention snow, the lunar Alps are probably
   not an ideal location for a winter vacation. Still, a 150 pound skier
   would weigh a mere 25 pounds on the Moon.

                     Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space
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