Astronomy Picture of the Day · January 12, 1996

Mare Orientale

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for January 12, 1996 is “Mare Orientale,” an image. It is credited to Credit: NASA, Lunar Orbiter 4. The original explanation runs about 126 words.

From the explanation

“Looking like a target ring bull’s-eye, the Mare Orientale is one of the most striking large scale lunar features. Located on the Moon ‘s extreme western edge, this impact basin is unfortunately difficult to see from an earthbound perspective.”

— APOD editors, January 12, 1996

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: January 12, 1996
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: NASA, Lunar Orbiter 4
Copyright: No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 126 words

All of January 1996 → · 1996 by month → · Full archive since 1995 →

Topics in this entry

The Moon

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: January 12 in other years

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, January 12, 1996 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-1996-january-12-mare-orientale

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.