Apollo 8 Imaged Taruntius Satellites During December 1968 Lunar Orbits

Summary: Apollo 8 imaged Taruntius satellites during December 1968 lunar orbits that included photographing southeastern Mare Tranquillitatis craters.

Oblique, northwestward-viewing photograph, taken Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1968, during Apollo 8 lunar orbits, shows a line of craters on Mare Tranquillitatis, with Taruntius satellites F (lower right corner) and E (above F); Cauchy (above right) lies between two linear features, above Cauchy Scarp (Rupes Cauchy) and below Cauchy Rille (Rima Cauchy); NASA ID AS08-13-2344; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); NAID (National Archives ID) 16670225: Access Unrestricted, Use Unrestricted, via National Archives Catalog

Apollo 8 imaged Taruntius satellites during December 1968 lunar orbits that included photographing near side craters along the southeastern Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility).

First-crewed lunar-orbiting mission Apollo 8 launched Saturday, Dec. 21, 1968, and returned for splashdown Friday, Dec. 27. During the 20 hours 11 minutes of the mission’s 10 lunar orbits, landmarks and possible landing sites for future missions were photographed. Lunar-landing mission Apollo 11’s July 1969 landing site lies to the southwest of the Cauchy-Zähringer-Taruntius F configuration.

The black-and-white Apollo 8 photograph shows two Taruntius satellite craters, identified as Taruntius E and F, trailing Cauchy Crater in Mare Tranquillitatis. Cauchy Crater is framed by Cauchy Scarp (Rupes Cauchy) and below Cauchy Rille (Rima Cauchy).

Taruntius E lost its satellite designation in an upgrade from secondary to primary crater by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1976. Taruntius E is now known as Zähringer.

Zähringer is centered at 5.51 degrees north latitude, 40.21 degrees east longitude, according to the IAU’s Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. The northern hemisphere crater marks northernmost and southernmost latitudes at 5.69 degrees north and 5.33 degrees north, respectively. Zähringer registers easternmost and westernmost longitudes of 40.4 degrees east and 40.03 degrees east, respectively. The small impact crater’s diameter measures 11.19 kilometers.

Zähringer’s namesake is Josef Zähringer (March 15, 1929-July 22, 1970). The German physicist’s accomplishments included examining lunar samples collected in July 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission.

Taruntius F lies to the southeast of Zähringer. Satellite F is centered at 3.92 degrees north latitude, 40.51 degrees east longitude. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes extend to 4.09 degrees north and 3.75 degrees north, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes reach to 40.68 degrees east and 40.35 degrees east, respectively. The satellite has a diameter of 10.16 kilometers.

The Taruntius crater system of one parent with 15 satellites derives its name from Lucius Tarutius Firmanus. The first century BCE Roman astrologer, astronomer and philosopher is credited with determining the time and date of the founding of Rome, which he calculated as occurring Oct. 4, 754 BCE, between the second and third daytime hours. He also is recognized for identifying March 24 as the birthday of Rome’s founder, Romulus.

Circular, symmetrical Cauchy Crater is centered at 9.56 degrees south latitude, 38.63 east longitude. The small crater obtains northernmost and southernmost latitudes at 9.75 degrees north and 9.36 degrees north, respectively. Cauchy confines its easternmost and westernmost longitudes to 38.82 degrees east and 38.43 degrees east, respectively. Its diameter measures 11.8 kilometers.

British selenographer Thomas Gwyn Elger (Oct. 27, 1836-Jan. 9, 1897) described Cauchy as a “bright little crater” (page 48) in his descriptive lunar tour, The Moon: A Full Description and Map of Its Principal Physical Features, published in 1895. He found a peak on the crater’s eastern rim to be “. . . considerably loftier than the rest of the wall, which is visible as a brilliant spot at sunrise long before the rest of the rampart is illuminated” (page 49).

Rupes Cauchy (Cauchy Scarp) courses on a northwest-southeast diagonal to the south and north of Cauchy Crater. The linear feature is centered at 9.31 degrees south latitude, 37.08 degrees east longitude. The scarp’s northernmost and southernmost latitudes stretch from 10.43 degrees north to 7.75 degrees north, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes fall between 39.45 degrees east and 34.52 degrees east, respectively. Rupes Cauchy’s diameter spans 169.85 kilometers.

Rima Cauchy (Cauchy Rille) parallels Rupes Cauchy as a frame on the other side of Cauchy Crater. The rille (German: “groove”) is centered at 10.42 degrees south latitude, 38.07 degrees east longitude. Rima Cauchy claims northernmost and southernmost latitudes of 12.7 degrees north and 9.11 degrees north, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes reach to 40.39 degrees east and 36 degrees east, respectively. Rima Cauchy’s diameter spans 167 kilometers.

The Cauchy system’s namesake is Augustin Louis Cauchy (Aug. 21, 1789-May 23, 1857). The 19th century French mathematician’s research interests included mathematical analysis and mathematical physics. He is credited with formulating models of continuum mechanics, a branch of mechanics with applications that pertain to a material body’s physical and positional changes through space and time.

The IAU officially approved the names of Cauchy and Taruntius craters in 1935, during the organization’s 5th General Assembly, held in Paris, France, from Wednesday, July 10, to Wednesday, July 17. Rima Cauchy and Rupes Cauchy were approved in 1964 during the 11th General Assembly, held in Hamburg, Germany, from Tuesday, Aug. 25, to Thursday, Sept. 3. Zähringer received name approval in 1976, during the 16th General Assembly, held in Grenoble, France, from Tuesday, Aug. 24, to Tuesday, Sept. 21.

The takeaways for Apollo 8’s image of the Taruntius satellites during the mission’s December 1968 lunar orbits are that Taruntius E has been upgraded from a satellite to a primary crater named Zähringer and that the Cauchy-Taruntius F-Zähringer configuration lies in southern Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility), to the northeast of the Apollo 11 landing site.

Detail shows Taruntius F (lower right), Taruntius E (above F) and Cauchy Crater (center right) framed by linear features Cauchy Rilles; D.E. Wilhelm’s Geologic Map of the Taruntius Quadrangle (1972): Dept. of Interior-US Geological Survey/NASA/USAF ACIC, via USGS Publications Warehouse

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Oblique, northwestward-viewing photograph, taken Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1968, during Apollo 8 lunar orbits, shows a line of craters on Mare Tranquillitatis, with Taruntius satellites F (lower right corner) and E (above F); Cauchy (above right) lies between two linear features, above Cauchy Scarp (Rupes Cauchy) and below Cauchy Rille (Rima Cauchy); NASA ID AS08-13-2344; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); NAID (National Archives ID) 16670225: Access Unrestricted, Use Unrestricted, via National Archives Catalog @ https://catalog.archives.gov/id/16670225; Generally not subject to copyright in the United States; may use this material for educational or informational purposes, including photo collections, textbooks, public exhibits, computer graphical simulations and Internet Web pages; general permission extends to personal Web pages, via NASA Image and Video Library @ https://images.nasa.gov/details-as08-13-2344;
Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AS08-13-2344_-_Apollo_8_-_Apollo_8_Mission_image,_Moon_-_NARA_-_16670225.jpg

Detail shows Taruntius F (lower right), Taruntius E (above F) and Cauchy Crater (center right) framed by linear features Cauchy Rilles; D.E. Wilhelm’s Geologic Map of the Taruntius Quadrangle (1972): Dept. of Interior-US Geological Survey/NASA/USAF ACIC, via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/i722

For further information:

Borman, Frank; and Robert J. Serling. Countdown: An Autobiography. New York NY: Silver Arrow, 1988.

Consolmagno, Guy; and Dan M. Davis. Turn Left at Orion. Fourth edition. Cambridge UK; New York NY: Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Elger, Thomas Gwyn. “Cauchy.” The Moon, A Full Description and Map of Its Principal Physical Features: 48-49. London UK: George Philip & Son, 1895.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/moonfulldescript00elgerich/page/48

Godwin, Robert, comp. and ed. Apollo 8: The NASA Mission Reports. Second edition. Burlington, Canada: Apogee Books, 1971.

International Astronomical Union. “Mare Tranquillitatis.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3691

International Astronomical Union. “Taruntius.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/5878

International Astronomical Union. “Taruntius F.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/13406

International Astronomical Union. “Zähringer.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/6772

Levy, David H. Skywatching. Revised and updated. San Francisco CA: Fog City Press, 1994.

Lovell, Jim; and Jeffrey Kluger. Apollo 13. First Mariner Books edition. Boston MA; New York NY: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.

Lovell, Jim; and Jeffrey Kluger. Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13. Boston MA: Houghton Mifflin, 1994.

Marriner, Derdriu. “Apollo 8 Flight Was Only, Second and Third Flight for Anders, Borman and Lovell.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/12/apollo-8-was-only-second-and-third.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Apollo 8 Proved Manned Space Flight Network’s Lunar Reach.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2012/12/apollo-8-proved-manned-space-flight.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “First Crewed Lunar Orbiting Mission Apollo 8 Launched Dec. 21, 1968.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/12/first-crewed-lunar-orbiting-mission.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Jettisoned LM Snoopy Descent Stage Appeared Near Taruntius Crater.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, May 11, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/05/jettisoned-lm-snoopy-descent-stage.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Lunar Near Side’s Taruntius Crater System Lost Four Satellites in 1976.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, April 27, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/04/lunar-near-sides-taruntius-crater.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Lunar Taruntius Crater System Borders Northwestern Mare Fecunditatis.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, April 13, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/04/lunar-taruntius-crater-system-borders.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Lunar Taruntius Crater System Lost Three Satellites in 1973.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, April 20, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/04/lunar-taruntius-crater-system-lost.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Taruntius Crater Parents 15 Satellites on Northwest Mare Fecunditatis.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/05/taruntius-crater-parents-15-satellites.html

Moore, Patrick, Sir. Philip’s Atlas of the Universe. Revised edition. London UK: Philip’s, 2005.

Müller, E. (Edith); and A. (Arnost) Jappel, eds. XVIth General Assembly -- Transactions of the IAU Vol. XVI B Proceedings of the 16th General Assembly Grenoble, France, August 24-September 21, 1976. Washington DC: Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Jan. 1, 1977.
Available @ https://www.iau.org/publications/iau/transactions_b/

Orloff, Richard W. “Apollo 8 The Second Mission: Testing the CSM in Lunar Orbit.” Apollo by the Numbers: A Statistical Reference: 31-50. NASA History Series. NASA SP 4029. Washington DC: NASA Headquarters Office of Policy and Plans, 2000.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029.pdf

Pecker, J.-C. (Jean-Claude), ed. XIIth General Assembly -- Transactions of the IAU Vol. XII B and XII C Proceedings of the 12th General Assembly Hamburg, Germany, August 25-September 3, 1964. Oxford UK: Blackwell Scientific Publications, Jan. 1, 1966.
Available @ https://www.iau.org/publications/iau/transactions_b/

Sadler, D.H. (Donald Harry), ed. “Session Administrative du 17 août 1961: Résolution No. 1.” XIth General Assembly -- Transactions of the IAU Vol. XI B Proceedings of the 11th General Assembly Berkeley CA, USA, August 15-24, 1961. Oxford UK: Blackwell Scientific Publications, Jan. 1, 1962.
Available @ https://www.iau.org/publications/iau/transactions_b/
Available via The Moon-Wiki @ https://the-moon.us/wiki/IAU_Transactions_XIB

Stratton, F.J.M. (Frederick John Marrian), ed. Vth General Assembly -- Transactions of the IAU Vol. V Proceedings of the 5th General Assembly Paris, France, July 10-17, 1935. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, Jan. 1, 1936.
Available @ https://www.iau.org/publications/iau/transactions_b/

U.S. Geological Survey. Color-Coded Topography and Shaded Relief Map of the Lunar Near Side and Far Side Hemispheres. U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Investigations Series I-2769. Page last modified Nov. 30, 2016. Flagstaff AZ: U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center, 2003.
Available via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/i2769/

Wilhelms, Don E. (Edward). “Geologic Map of the Taruntius Quadrangle of the Moon.” Geologic Atlas of the Moon. IMAP 722 (LAC-61). Prepared in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the USAF Aeronautical Chart and Information Center. Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey, 1972.
Available via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/i722