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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   
        __________________________________________________________________   
      
          Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)   
               NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.   
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