Palus
Contents
Palus (marsh)
(glossary entry; plural = Paludes )
Description
One of 18 different categories of lunar features recognized in the current system of IAU nomenclature. Palus means "swamp" in Latin, and the IAU defines a palus as a "small plain". The term is used as prefix to the feature name.
Additional Information
Since the Latin term "sinus" is also described as "a small plain", the intended distinction between the two is not entirely clear. Both terms are used on the Moon. When described in English, the many names containing "Sinus" are described as "Bays" while the three containing "Palus" are described as "Marshes". Evidently the water flows more freely in a "Sinus" than in a "Palus".
- Jim Mosher
Lunar Palus
List of Lunar Palus
LPOD Articles
Bibliography
