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Moon observing project
Lunar 50 Challenge
Learn the Moon as a landscape, not just a phase. Track 50 maria, craters, mountains, valleys, rilles, scarps, and unusual surface features in your own browser.
Observing principle
Follow the terminator.
NASA recommends observing lunar craters and mountains during phases other than full Moon because lower-angle sunlight creates shadows that make relief easier to see. The moving day-night boundary gives familiar features a different appearance from night to night.
NASA Moon viewing tips ↗
Learn the actual lunar surface
NASA LRO Moon Mosaic
This full-Moon photomosaic is assembled from 1,231 Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Narrow Angle Camera images. It is a better reference for a lunar learning challenge than stylized Moon artwork.
Image credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio / Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
NASA Moon Mosaic source ↗Maria + plains
0 / 12
Large-scale landmarks for learning lunar geography.
Craters
0 / 27
Impact features ranging from obvious ray craters to smaller telescopic targets.
Relief + terrain
0 / 11
Mountains, valleys, rilles, scarps, and Reiner Gamma.
Your lunar map project
50 landmarks to learn
50 features
01
Maria + plains
Mare Crisium
Binocular
Not observed
02
Maria + plains
Mare Fecunditatis
Binocular
Not observed
03
Maria + plains
Mare Serenitatis
Binocular
Not observed
04
Maria + plains
Mare Tranquillitatis
Binocular
Not observed
05
Maria + plains
Mare Nectaris
Binocular
Not observed
06
Maria + plains
Mare Imbrium
Naked eye / binocular
Not observed
07
Maria + plains
Mare Frigoris
Binocular
Not observed
08
Maria + plains
Mare Nubium
Binocular
Not observed
09
Maria + plains
Mare Humorum
Binocular
Not observed
10
Maria + plains
Oceanus Procellarum
Naked eye / binocular
Not observed
11
Maria + plains
Sinus Iridum
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
12
Maria + plains
Sinus Medii
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
13
Craters
Langrenus
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
14
Craters
Petavius
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
15
Craters
Cleomedes
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
16
Craters
Theophilus
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
17
Craters
Cyrillus
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
18
Craters
Catharina
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
19
Craters
Aristoteles
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
20
Craters
Eudoxus
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
21
Craters
Plato
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
22
Craters
Archimedes
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
23
Craters
Ptolemaeus
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
24
Craters
Alphonsus
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
25
Craters
Arzachel
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
26
Craters
Tycho
Naked eye / binocular
Not observed
27
Craters
Clavius
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
28
Craters
Eratosthenes
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
29
Craters
Copernicus
Naked eye / binocular
Not observed
30
Craters
Aristarchus
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
31
Craters
Gassendi
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
32
Craters
Kepler
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
33
Craters
Grimaldi
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
34
Craters
Schickard
Telescope
Not observed
35
Craters
Picard
Telescope
Not observed
36
Craters
Proclus
Telescope
Not observed
37
Craters
Manilius
Telescope
Not observed
38
Craters
Pitatus
Telescope
Not observed
39
Craters
Fra Mauro
Telescope
Not observed
40
Relief + terrain
Montes Alpes
Telescope
Not observed
41
Relief + terrain
Montes Apenninus
Binocular / telescope
Not observed
42
Relief + terrain
Mons Hadley
Telescope
Not observed
43
Relief + terrain
Mons Piton
Telescope
Not observed
44
Relief + terrain
Mons Pico
Telescope
Not observed
45
Relief + terrain
Rupes Altai
Telescope
Not observed
46
Relief + terrain
Rima Hyginus
Telescope
Not observed
47
Relief + terrain
Vallis Schroteri
Telescope
Not observed
48
Relief + terrain
Vallis Alpes
Telescope
Not observed
49
Relief + terrain
Rupes Recta
Telescope
Not observed
50
Relief + terrain
Reiner Gamma
Telescope
Not observed
See more by changing the light
The same crater can look new two nights later.
Lunar observing rewards repetition. Low Sun angles create long shadows near the terminator. Near full Moon, ray systems and albedo differences can become more conspicuous even while topographic relief looks flatter.
Timing
Moon Planner
Check phase, illumination, rise, set, and lunar timing before your session.
Plan
Session Planner
Make a short lunar target list and put the observing window on your calendar.
Record
Observer Logbook
Record magnification, conditions, shadows, and details that changed with lunar lighting.
NASA
Moon Interactives ↗
Use NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, Moon Trek, and other official lunar exploration tools.
Independent challenge
This is a StarStation learning project, not an official award checklist.
The Astronomical League has its own Lunar Observing Program with 100 required features and specific certification rules. StarStation’s Lunar 50 is an independent, shorter selection designed to help readers learn common lunar geography and build observing habits. If you want an official certificate or pin, follow the Astronomical League’s current requirements and logs.