Yes, I noticed the patch that is lighter than the rest of the surface but why it should be I don't know.
When examining the surface detail more closely there would seem to be an underlying grid pattern. See if you can spot it.
The view shown below is literally packed with structures that are built so close together that seen from a distance viewpoint would give the impression that what can be observed is the lunar surface and nothing more. This is why close views and enlargements of reasonable resolution and definition are important.
From this view it can be seen that some of the structures have a similar shape and that many of them have small towers or spires protruding from them.
If you zoom in a little the general layout and infrastructure can be observed.
Hi Timewarp with regards to the circular shape just have a quick look at the Apollo photos prior to 11697 in the sequence.
Not withstanding this do you notice the rectangular shape bottom right on the image. I've outlined 3 sides although the 4th seems to blend into its surroundings. I wonder whether this could be as a result of reflection from inside the module?? Again LROC inconclusive.
In this image I have used a degree of shadow enhancement to reveal some of the other vague detail and also what could be hiding under the artificial smudge.
There are even more structure-like geometrical objects to see in this crater if you look closely. I wonder what else is hiding under the other areas of smudge?
My apologies for the poor quality even though it's a LROC image. it would appear there are definite structures showing in the view, so who could have built them?
When looking at the first image in the thread one gets the impression it is a top-down view, but then I remembered that many of the Apollo orbital captures were carried out using forward and aft cameras. That's why in many of the orbital views there is a degree of vertical and horizontal perspective.
I am not placing any emphasis or further investigation of the large circular shape as it does not show up in the later LROC view.
This is the point in the thread where the object detail seen on the surface becomes really interesting.
If you look closely at the lower two images it can be seen that protruding from many of the surface objects is a tower.
Could these vertical extensions from the surface objects be possible water towers?
A long time ago I saved some of the high resolution Apollo images and in a recent search I came across a view that I felt worthy of further investigation.
The image number is AS15-87-11697 and the details of the location are shown below.
Image Collection: 70mm Hasselblad Mission: 15 Magazine: 87 Magazine Letter: KK Lens Focal Length: 60 mm Film Type: SO-168 Film Width: 70 mm Film Color: color