Map of the Moon — Antique Celestial Print

Detailed lunar maps became possible only after Galileo first turned a telescope on the moon in 1609, revealing mountains, craters, and dark plains that earlier astronomers had never been able to resolve with the naked eye. Over the following two centuries, astronomers steadily refined their charts of the lunar surface, naming craters after scientists and philosophers and mapping the dark basaltic plains they mistakenly called "seas," or maria, believing them to hold water. These printed lunar maps served both scientific and popular purposes, satisfying the 18th- and 19th-century public's fascination with the one celestial body whose surface could actually be studied in detail.

Materials & origin

• Material: 200 gsm gallery-grade, acid-free fine-art paper (FSC-certified).
• Print: Archival giclée, 12-colour printing, smooth matte finish for glare-free display.
• Artwork: Restored from a public-domain original; colour and detail digitally cleaned for large-format print.
• Origin: Made on demand and shipped from the print hub nearest you, cutting transit and waste.
• Framing: Sold unframed; ships rolled in a protective tube.