Mare Tranquillitatis pit

Mare Tranquillitatis pit
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera image
Coordinates8°20′08″N 33°13′19″E / 8.3355°N 33.222°E / 8.3355; 33.222
DiameterFunnel: 140–146 meters
Inner pit: 88–100 meters
Depth~105 meters

The Mare Tranquillitatis pit is the name given to an elliptical opening on the Moon's surface in the Mare Tranquillitatis, situated roughly 400 kilometers (250 miles) away from the landing site of Apollo 11. The pit was created by a lunar lava tube, and is currently the deepest known lunar pit with a radius of at least 100 meters (328 feet). The lunar feature is notable for being the first lunar cave proven to exist beyond theoretical frameworks, and of being direct evidence of the existence of natural lunar shelter that could potentially be used as a lunar base.

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