Long Shadows of the Montes Caucasus
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TL;DR
During the Moon's first quarter phase, the Montes Caucasus mountain range casts dramatic shadows along the lunar terminator, visible from Earth. These peaks, up to 6 km high, lie between Mare Imbrium and Mare Serenitatis, with craters reflecting sunlight in the west.
Long Shadows of the Montes Caucasus
Image Credit & Copyright: Guy Bardon
Explanation: When the Moon is at its first quarter phase, the Sun rises along the Montes Caucasus as seen from the lunar surface. The lunar mountain range casts the magnificent, spire-like shadows in this telescopic view from planet Earth, looking along the lunar terminator or the boundary between lunar night and day. Named for Earth's own Caucasus Mountains, the rugged lunar Montes Caucasus peaks, up to 6 kilometers high, are located between the smooth Mare Imbrium to the west and Mare Serenitatis to the east. Still mostly in shadow in this first quarter lunarscape, at the left (west) impact craters reflect the light of the rising Sun along their outer, eastern crater walls.