Exploration of the Moon invention of the telescope, an increasing number of people began to recognise the Moon as a sphere, though many believed that it was "perfectly smooth". In 1609, Galileo Galilei drew one of the first telescopic drawings of the Moon in his book and noted that it was not smooth but had mountains and craters. Later in the 17th century, Giovanni Battista Riccioli and Francesco Maria Grimaldi drew a map of the Moon and gave many craters the names they still have today. On maps, the dark parts of the Moon's surface were called "maria" (singular "mare") or seas, and the
Craters of the Moon (geothermal site) is the "prostrate kanuka", a variety of kanuka ("Kunzea ericoides" var. "microflora"). Other species include ferns and mosses that usually grow only in the tropics or warmer frost-free climates. Craters of the Moon is open to visitors all year round. The area is easily reached by car from Taupo, being on the end of Karapiti Road, that branches off State Highway 1/5, 4 km north of Taupo. There is a carpark, and an information kiosk at the entrance. An entrance fee applies. Visitors can walk a main track circuit, suited for people of all ages and fitness levels, which is