what is the name for the dark spots on the moon
List of lunar features This is a list of maria (singular mare) on the Moon. Lunar Maria are the large, dark, regions of the moon. They do not actually contain any water, however they are believed to have been formed from molten rock from the moon's mantle coming out onto the surface of the moon. It also includes the one oceanus and the features known by the names lacus, palus and sinus. The modern system of lunar nomenclature was introduced in 1651 by Riccioli.[1] Riccioli's map of the moon was drawn by Francesco Maria Grimaldi, who has a crater named after him.[2]
Lunar eclipse A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly behind Earth and into its shadow. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are aligned (in syzygy) exactly or very closely so, with the planet in between. Hence, a lunar eclipse can occur only on the night of a full moon. The type and length of an eclipse depend on the Moon's position relative to its orbital nodes.