The Greater Black Lake

Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day concentrates on the crater Plato near Mare Imbrium on the Moon. Plato has been an area of mystery for observers, mostly due to it's color and apparent smoothness. It's located near some spectactular mountain peaks, Pico and Piton and has been the scene for multiple science fiction stories, Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke and the early installments of Hugh Walters' Chris Godfrey of UNEXA series.