oblique view lunar orbiter 2, marius hills in background.
beginning full-globe view of lunar near side, camera flies close-up, increasingly oblique view of lunar swirl.
reiner gamma located on oceanus procellarum, west of crater reiner. center located @ selenographic coordinates 7°30′n 59°00′w / 7.5°n 59.0°w / 7.5; -59.0. has overall dimension of 70 kilometres. feature has higher albedo relatively dark mare surface, diffuse appearance , distinctive swirling, concentric oval shape. related albedo features continue across surface east , southwest, forming loop-like patterns on mare.
the central feature of reiner gamma resembles dipolar formation created iron filings on surface bar magnet on underside. low-orbiting spacecraft have observed relatively strong magnetic field associated each of these albedo markings. have speculated magnetic field , patterns created cometary impacts. true cause remains uncertain.
reiner gamma s magnetic field strength approximately 15 nt, measured altitude of 28 km. 1 of strongest localized magnetic anomalies on moon. surface field strength of feature sufficient form mini-magnetosphere spans 360 km @ surface, forming 300 km thick region of enhanced plasma solar wind flows around field. particles in solar wind known darken lunar surface, magnetic field @ site may account survival of albedo feature.
in lunar maps francesco maria grimaldi, feature incorrectly identified crater. colleague giovanni riccioli named galilaeus, after galileo galilei. name later transferred northwest current crater galilaei.
reiner , marius areas
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