Surface of the Moon - Avery Casey

Surface of the Moon

Avery Casey

Abstract

     This lab was designed to introduce students to the variation in the surface of the Moon and to explain the formation and reasoning for this variance.

Introduction

    The Earth's Moon has long fascinated human observers. Due to modern advancement and technology, much is now known concerning the surface of the Moon. Many of the features of the Moon have been described and named by astronomers. Maria are dark patches on the Moon formerly formed by volcanic activity. Craters are formed by the impact of craters on the surface of the Moon. These activities are responsible for the variation in topography observed on the surface of the Moon. By examining the distribution of the topographical features, one can learn much about the Moon's history.

Procedure

    For this lab, data was examined from satellite imagery on the topography of the Moon. Moon maps, Google Moon, nasa.gov, and information from the USGS was all used to examine the information. The data was then interpreted by students in order to answer provided questions.

Data/Results

A)

1. In general, maria are found in the lunar lowlands while craters and mountains are more typical in the lunar highlands.

2. Mountains frequently act as borders between the lunar lowlands and highlands.

3. Viewing the Moon from Earth, most maria are seen in the upper left quadrant of the Moon.

B)

1. The smooth surface of the craters in the Oceanus Procellarum region indicate that lava filled the crater, indicating that the mare is younger than is the crater.

2. The craters in the Mare Insularum region are not smooth, indicating impact which means that the crater was formed after the mare.

3. Two regions in which the mare appear younger than the craters are Mare Humorum and Mare Imbrium. Two regions in which the craters appear to be younger than the mare are Mare Frigoris and Sinus Aestuum.

4. The northern hemisphere of the Moon appears to have smoother craters indicating newer mare whereas the southern hemisphere of the Moon is more cratered.

C)

                                                        Some craters in the lunar highlands.

1. Most large craters have central peaks whereas smaller craters typically do not.

2. In regions where crater overlap occurs, smaller craters seem to be younger. If the larger craters were younger, the outlines of the smaller craters would not be visible.

3. Lunar craters appear to be caused by space debris impacting the surface of the moon.

D)

Apennine MTS

Caucasus MTS

Haemus MTS

1. Mons Huygens is the highest mountain on the Moon with a height of 5.5km.

2. In general, mountain ranges extend in curved lines on the surface of the Moon. Because the terrain on the moon is caused by impacts and former lava flow, I would explain the curved mountain ranges as the edges of impact zones from large asteroids hitting the surface of the Moon.

E)

                                                              The far side of the Moon.

1. The far side of the Moon has far less maria than the side we view from the Earth. There is, overall, less changes in elevation on the far side of the Moon.

2. Similarities in the far and visible side of the Moon is that both sides are cratered more at the northern and southernmost regions of the Moon and that there are smoother and rougher regions in general.

3. Mare Orientale is the most prominent feature on the far side of the Moon and was likely caused by one large volcano in that region.

4. Because of the presence of maria on the visible side of the Moon, it appears that the far side of the Moon is far more cratered than is the visible side.

5. The general shape of craters on the visible and far sides of the Moon appear to be the same, however, because of the large sections of previous lava flow, the craters on the far side are far less smooth than some regions on the visible side of the Moon.

F)

                                                                     The surface of Mercury

1. Like the Moon, Mercury has many impact sites caused from asteroids. Mercury also has smoother regions likely caused by past lava flow.

2. Unlike the Moon, the topography of Mercury does not look highly varied and appears to lack mountain ranges.

3. Because of the lack of large variation and mountain ranges, Mercury appears to have been less impacted by large asteroids than the Moon has.

G)

                                                          A map of the Apollo missions.

Apollo 11 landed in the southern end of Mare Tranquilitatis and was likely intended to study maria and the former volcanic activity on the Moon (as well as just see the surface of the Moon.).

Apollo12 landed in what appears to be Mare Insularum and had several general mission goals including studying the surface and determine techniques for future landings.

Apollo 14 landed near the Apollo 12 landing site near a large cone crater. The purpose of this mission was to study the geology and surface of the Moon.

Apollo 15 near Rima Hadley at the base of the Apenine Mts. A possible goal for this mission was to study topographical variation and mountain formation on the Moon.

Apollo 16 landed in a very cratered area in the southern pole of the Moon.

Apollo 17 landed in the bottom right quadrant of Mare Serenitatis and was likely intended to study highlands. 

H)

1. Luna 16 landed in the Mare Fecunditatis and was likely chosen to take samples from the mare.

2. Luna 17 landed in the Mare Imbrium which was likely chosen because of the accessibility to highlands and lowlands. 

3. Luna 21 landed to the side of the Mare Serentatis, which could have been chosen to determine the different ages of nearby features. 

Conclusion

     The majority of the topographical variance found on the Moon can be explained by past volcanic activity and the impact of asteroids on the surface of the Moon. Much of the volcanic activity took place on the visible side of the Moon, especially in the upper left quadrant of the visible side. Cratering effects the majority of the surface of the Moon but is greatest around poles of the Moon. The impact of large asteroids on the surface of the Moon has led to curved mountain ranges in some areas of the surface. Humans have long been curious about the Moon and using satellite data, probes, landers, and manned missions, we have a much broader understanding of the surface features than we did previously.