In the earlier chapters of this book, alongside the descriptions of observational hardware and techniques, I have tried to provide a picture of the Moon and of lunar science past and present. Necessarily this ‘picture’ has been painted with a rather broad brush. To really get to know the Moon, one must be prepared to examine it in finer detail. To that end, this chapter presents a selection of 48 specific features/areas of the Moon. Taken together, these provide a representative selection of the types of lunar formation one may encounter at the eyepiece of one's telescope.

Why the particular selection that follows? I can only say that this has been my personal choice. I have tried to cover the fullest possible range of lunar features. You will find descriptions of craters both grand and small, conventional and unusual in their profile. Mountains, valleys, domes, rilles (both sinuous and linear), mare flood-plains and other types of terrain are also described. In some of the sections broad areas are described. A few sections concentrate on particular features of special interest. Altogether, over two hundred named formations are examined. Many are the ‘old favourites’ of novice and experienced observers. Others are more ‘off the beaten track’. Sometimes I have provided detailed descriptions. Other times I have only provided sketchy details and leave you, the reader – and I hope the observer – to find out things for yourself.