The first map of the Moon by William Gilbert

As the astronomer of Queen Elizabeth I, William Gilbert (1544-1603) gave the first extant map of the Moon featuring a nomenclature. Published by his brother in 1651, Gilbert’s map is made from naked-eye observations. Thirteen names are attributed to several typology zones inspired by traditional geography: maresinusregioinsulapromontorium are all names that offers a first interpretation of the moon’s surface.

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