GRAIL Gravity Observations of the Transition from Complex Crater to Peak-Ring Basin on the Moon: Implications for Crustal Structure and Impact Basin Formation
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Back Matter (PDF)
Index Page numbers in italics refer to Tables or Figures Acasta gneiss 137, 138 Chladni, Ernst 94, 97 Adam, Robert 8, 11 chlorite 70, 71 agriculture, Hutton on 177 chloritoid stability 70 Albritton, Claude C. 100 Clerk Jnr, John 3 alumina (A1203), reaction in metamorphism 67-71 Clerk of Odin, John 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 andalusite stability 67 Clerk-Maxwell, George 10 anthropic principle 79-80 climate change 142 Apex basalt 140 Lyell on 97-8 Archean cratons (archons) 28, 31-2 coal as Earth heat source 176 Arizona Crater 98-9 coesite stability 65 Arran, Isle of 170 Columbia River basalts 32 asthenosphere 22 comets 89-90, 147-8 astrobleme 101 short v. long period 92 atmospheric composition 83-6 as source of life 148-9 Austral Volcanic Chain 24 continental flood basalt (CFB) 20, 23, 32 cordierite stability 67 craters, impact Bacon, Francis 21 Chixulub 109, 110, 143 Baldwin, Ralph 102 early ideas on 90, 98 Banks, Sir Joseph 96 modern occurrences 91, 98-101 Barringer, Daniel Moreau 99 Morokweng 142 Barringer Crater 99, 102, 103 modern research 102-3 basalt periodicity of 111-12 described by Hall 40-1 creation, Hutton's views on 76 mid-ocean ridge (MORB) 16-17, 20-1, 22, 23, 30-1 Creech, William 5 modern experiments on 44-7 Cretaceous-Tertiary impacts 141 ocean island (OIB) 20, 23 crust formation 17 see also flood basalt cryptoexplosion structures 101 Benares (India) meteorite shower 96 cryptovolcanic structures 100-1 Biot, Jean-Baptiste 97 Black, Joseph 4, 9, 10, 11, 42, 171 Boon, John D. -
Geoscience and a Lunar Base
" t N_iSA Conference Pubhcatmn 3070 " i J Geoscience and a Lunar Base A Comprehensive Plan for Lunar Explora, tion unclas HI/VI 02907_4 at ,unar | !' / | .... ._-.;} / [ | -- --_,,,_-_ |,, |, • • |,_nrrr|l , .l -- - -- - ....... = F _: .......... s_ dd]T_- ! JL --_ - - _ '- "_r: °-__.......... / _r NASA Conference Publication 3070 Geoscience and a Lunar Base A Comprehensive Plan for Lunar Exploration Edited by G. Jeffrey Taylor Institute of Meteoritics University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico Paul D. Spudis U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Astrogeology Flagstaff, Arizona Proceedings of a workshop sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C., and held at the Lunar and Planetary Institute Houston, Texas August 25-26, 1988 IW_A National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Management Scientific and Technical Information Division 1990 PREFACE This report was produced at the request of Dr. Michael B. Duke, Director of the Solar System Exploration Division of the NASA Johnson Space Center. At a meeting of the Lunar and Planetary Sample Team (LAPST), Dr. Duke (at the time also Science Director of the Office of Exploration, NASA Headquarters) suggested that future lunar geoscience activities had not been planned systematically and that geoscience goals for the lunar base program were not articulated well. LAPST is a panel that advises NASA on lunar sample allocations and also serves as an advocate for lunar science within the planetary science community. LAPST took it upon itself to organize some formal geoscience planning for a lunar base by creating a document that outlines the types of missions and activities that are needed to understand the Moon and its geologic history. -
Glossary Glossary
Glossary Glossary Albedo A measure of an object’s reflectivity. A pure white reflecting surface has an albedo of 1.0 (100%). A pitch-black, nonreflecting surface has an albedo of 0.0. The Moon is a fairly dark object with a combined albedo of 0.07 (reflecting 7% of the sunlight that falls upon it). The albedo range of the lunar maria is between 0.05 and 0.08. The brighter highlands have an albedo range from 0.09 to 0.15. Anorthosite Rocks rich in the mineral feldspar, making up much of the Moon’s bright highland regions. Aperture The diameter of a telescope’s objective lens or primary mirror. Apogee The point in the Moon’s orbit where it is furthest from the Earth. At apogee, the Moon can reach a maximum distance of 406,700 km from the Earth. Apollo The manned lunar program of the United States. Between July 1969 and December 1972, six Apollo missions landed on the Moon, allowing a total of 12 astronauts to explore its surface. Asteroid A minor planet. A large solid body of rock in orbit around the Sun. Banded crater A crater that displays dusky linear tracts on its inner walls and/or floor. 250 Basalt A dark, fine-grained volcanic rock, low in silicon, with a low viscosity. Basaltic material fills many of the Moon’s major basins, especially on the near side. Glossary Basin A very large circular impact structure (usually comprising multiple concentric rings) that usually displays some degree of flooding with lava. The largest and most conspicuous lava- flooded basins on the Moon are found on the near side, and most are filled to their outer edges with mare basalts. -
Technical Note
NASA TN D-1493 O5 C,/ 1-4 I Q LOAJN' ? < TECHNICAL NOTE D-1493 ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS OF SPACE FLIGHT STRUCTURES H. METEOROID HAZARD Prepared by John R. Davidson and Paul E. Sandorff in collaboration with the NASA Research Advisory Committee on Missile and Space Vehicle Structures Langley Research Center Langley Station, Hampton, Va. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WASHINGTON January 1963 TECH LIBRARY KAFB, NM Illllllll TABLE OF CONTENTS 0153^57 Page PREFACE li MEMBERS OF THE NASA RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MISSILE AND SPACE VEHICLE STRUCTURES in SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION 1 SYMBOLS -. 2 METEOROID ENVIRONMENT ^ Asteroidal Particles ; . k Cometary Particles 5 Tektites 8 Pertubation Forces 9 Observations of Meteors From the Earth 10 Satellites and Space Probes 15 Research in Progress 18 INTERACTION BETWEEN METEOROID ENVIRONMENT AND STRUCTURE 19 Historical Aspects of the Plate Perforation Problem 19 Physical Description of High-Speed Impact Phenomena 20 Modern Theories of Penetration 22 Experimental Data .__ 26 PROTECTION METHODS 30 Types of Structural Damage 30 Application of Meteoroid Flux Data and Impact Data to Design Problems 30 RESEARCH IN PROGRESS 36 Ground Research 36 Flight Test Research 36 RECOMMENDED METEOROID RESEARCH PROGRAM 36 REFERENCES kO BIBLIOGRAPHY 1*7 TABLES 49 FIGURES 61 PREFACE The exploration, study, and definition of the environmental conditions which exist in space beyond the earth's atmosphere form an essential part of the current space-age effort. The development of this science is of especial interest to the vehicle structures designer, who must make decisions today that will establish the capability and efficiency of the space hardware in use 5 °r 10 years hence. -
Martian Crater Morphology
ANALYSIS OF THE DEPTH-DIAMETER RELATIONSHIP OF MARTIAN CRATERS A Capstone Experience Thesis Presented by Jared Howenstine Completion Date: May 2006 Approved By: Professor M. Darby Dyar, Astronomy Professor Christopher Condit, Geology Professor Judith Young, Astronomy Abstract Title: Analysis of the Depth-Diameter Relationship of Martian Craters Author: Jared Howenstine, Astronomy Approved By: Judith Young, Astronomy Approved By: M. Darby Dyar, Astronomy Approved By: Christopher Condit, Geology CE Type: Departmental Honors Project Using a gridded version of maritan topography with the computer program Gridview, this project studied the depth-diameter relationship of martian impact craters. The work encompasses 361 profiles of impacts with diameters larger than 15 kilometers and is a continuation of work that was started at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, Texas under the guidance of Dr. Walter S. Keifer. Using the most ‘pristine,’ or deepest craters in the data a depth-diameter relationship was determined: d = 0.610D 0.327 , where d is the depth of the crater and D is the diameter of the crater, both in kilometers. This relationship can then be used to estimate the theoretical depth of any impact radius, and therefore can be used to estimate the pristine shape of the crater. With a depth-diameter ratio for a particular crater, the measured depth can then be compared to this theoretical value and an estimate of the amount of material within the crater, or fill, can then be calculated. The data includes 140 named impact craters, 3 basins, and 218 other impacts. The named data encompasses all named impact structures of greater than 100 kilometers in diameter. -
Sky and Telescope
SkyandTelescope.com The Lunar 100 By Charles A. Wood Just about every telescope user is familiar with French comet hunter Charles Messier's catalog of fuzzy objects. Messier's 18th-century listing of 109 galaxies, clusters, and nebulae contains some of the largest, brightest, and most visually interesting deep-sky treasures visible from the Northern Hemisphere. Little wonder that observing all the M objects is regarded as a virtual rite of passage for amateur astronomers. But the night sky offers an object that is larger, brighter, and more visually captivating than anything on Messier's list: the Moon. Yet many backyard astronomers never go beyond the astro-tourist stage to acquire the knowledge and understanding necessary to really appreciate what they're looking at, and how magnificent and amazing it truly is. Perhaps this is because after they identify a few of the Moon's most conspicuous features, many amateurs don't know where Many Lunar 100 selections are plainly visible in this image of the full Moon, while others require to look next. a more detailed view, different illumination, or favorable libration. North is up. S&T: Gary The Lunar 100 list is an attempt to provide Moon lovers with Seronik something akin to what deep-sky observers enjoy with the Messier catalog: a selection of telescopic sights to ignite interest and enhance understanding. Presented here is a selection of the Moon's 100 most interesting regions, craters, basins, mountains, rilles, and domes. I challenge observers to find and observe them all and, more important, to consider what each feature tells us about lunar and Earth history. -
Planning a Mission to the Lunar South Pole
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter: (Diviner) Audience Planning a Mission to Grades 9-10 the Lunar South Pole Time Recommended 1-2 hours AAAS STANDARDS Learning Objectives: • 12A/H1: Exhibit traits such as curiosity, honesty, open- • Learn about recent discoveries in lunar science. ness, and skepticism when making investigations, and value those traits in others. • Deduce information from various sources of scientific data. • 12E/H4: Insist that the key assumptions and reasoning in • Use critical thinking to compare and evaluate different datasets. any argument—whether one’s own or that of others—be • Participate in team-based decision-making. made explicit; analyze the arguments for flawed assump- • Use logical arguments and supporting information to justify decisions. tions, flawed reasoning, or both; and be critical of the claims if any flaws in the argument are found. • 4A/H3: Increasingly sophisticated technology is used Preparation: to learn about the universe. Visual, radio, and X-ray See teacher procedure for any details. telescopes collect information from across the entire spectrum of electromagnetic waves; computers handle Background Information: data and complicated computations to interpret them; space probes send back data and materials from The Moon’s surface thermal environment is among the most extreme of any remote parts of the solar system; and accelerators give planetary body in the solar system. With no atmosphere to store heat or filter subatomic particles energies that simulate conditions in the Sun’s radiation, midday temperatures on the Moon’s surface can reach the stars and in the early history of the universe before 127°C (hotter than boiling water) whereas at night they can fall as low as stars formed. -
(50000) Quaoar, See Quaoar (90377) Sedna, See Sedna 1992 QB1 267
Index (50000) Quaoar, see Quaoar Apollo Mission Science Reports 114 (90377) Sedna, see Sedna Apollo samples 114, 115, 122, 1992 QB1 267, 268 ap-value, 3-hour, conversion from Kp 10 1996 TL66 268 arcade, post-eruptive 24–26 1998 WW31 274 Archimedian spiral 11 2000 CR105 269 Arecibo observatory 63 2000 OO67 277 Ariel, carbon dioxide ice 256–257 2003 EL61 270, 271, 273, 274, 275, 286, astrometric detection, of extrasolar planets – mass 273 190 – satellites 273 Atlas 230, 242, 244 – water ice 273 Bartels, Julius 4, 8 2003 UB313 269, 270, 271–272, 274, 286 – methane 271–272 Becquerel, Antoine Henry 3 – orbital parameters 271 Biermann, Ludwig 5 – satellite 272 biomass, from chemolithoautotrophs, on Earth 169 – spectroscopic studies 271 –, – on Mars 169 2005 FY 269, 270, 272–273, 286 9 bombardment, late heavy 68, 70, 71, 77, 78 – atmosphere 273 Borealis basin 68, 71, 72 – methane 272–273 ‘Brown Dwarf Desert’ 181, 188 – orbital parameters 272 brown dwarfs, deuterium-burning limit 181 51 Pegasi b 179, 185 – formation 181 Alfvén, Hannes 11 Callisto 197, 198, 199, 200, 204, 205, 206, ALH84001 (martian meteorite) 160 207, 211, 213 Amalthea 198, 199, 200, 204–205, 206, 207 – accretion 206, 207 – bright crater 199 – compared with Ganymede 204, 207 – density 205 – composition 204 – discovery by Barnard 205 – geology 213 – discovery of icy nature 200 – ice thickness 204 – evidence for icy composition 205 – internal structure 197, 198, 204 – internal structure 198 – multi-ringed impact basins 205, 211 – orbit 205 – partial differentiation 200, 204, 206, -
Impact Cratering
6 Impact cratering The dominant surface features of the Moon are approximately circular depressions, which may be designated by the general term craters … Solution of the origin of the lunar craters is fundamental to the unravel- ing of the history of the Moon and may shed much light on the history of the terrestrial planets as well. E. M. Shoemaker (1962) Impact craters are the dominant landform on the surface of the Moon, Mercury, and many satellites of the giant planets in the outer Solar System. The southern hemisphere of Mars is heavily affected by impact cratering. From a planetary perspective, the rarity or absence of impact craters on a planet’s surface is the exceptional state, one that needs further explanation, such as on the Earth, Io, or Europa. The process of impact cratering has touched every aspect of planetary evolution, from planetary accretion out of dust or planetesimals, to the course of biological evolution. The importance of impact cratering has been recognized only recently. E. M. Shoemaker (1928–1997), a geologist, was one of the irst to recognize the importance of this process and a major contributor to its elucidation. A few older geologists still resist the notion that important changes in the Earth’s structure and history are the consequences of extraterres- trial impact events. The decades of lunar and planetary exploration since 1970 have, how- ever, brought a new perspective into view, one in which it is clear that high-velocity impacts have, at one time or another, affected nearly every atom that is part of our planetary system. -
October 2006
OCTOBER 2 0 0 6 �������������� http://www.universetoday.com �������������� TAMMY PLOTNER WITH JEFF BARBOUR 283 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 In 1897, the world’s largest refractor (40”) debuted at the University of Chica- go’s Yerkes Observatory. Also today in 1958, NASA was established by an act of Congress. More? In 1962, the 300-foot radio telescope of the National Ra- dio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) went live at Green Bank, West Virginia. It held place as the world’s second largest radio scope until it collapsed in 1988. Tonight let’s visit with an old lunar favorite. Easily seen in binoculars, the hexagonal walled plain of Albategnius ap- pears near the terminator about one-third the way north of the south limb. Look north of Albategnius for even larger and more ancient Hipparchus giving an almost “figure 8” view in binoculars. Between Hipparchus and Albategnius to the east are mid-sized craters Halley and Hind. Note the curious ALBATEGNIUS AND HIPPARCHUS ON THE relationship between impact crater Klein on Albategnius’ southwestern wall and TERMINATOR CREDIT: ROGER WARNER that of crater Horrocks on the northeastern wall of Hipparchus. Now let’s power up and “crater hop”... Just northwest of Hipparchus’ wall are the beginnings of the Sinus Medii area. Look for the deep imprint of Seeliger - named for a Dutch astronomer. Due north of Hipparchus is Rhaeticus, and here’s where things really get interesting. If the terminator has progressed far enough, you might spot tiny Blagg and Bruce to its west, the rough location of the Surveyor 4 and Surveyor 6 landing area. -
GSA TODAY • Radon in Water, P
Vol. 8, No. 11 November 1998 INSIDE • Field Guide Editor, p. 5 GSA TODAY • Radon in Water, p. 10 • Women Geoscientists, p. 12 A Publication of the Geological Society of America • 1999 Annual Meeting, p. 31 Gas Hydrates: Greenhouse Nightmare? Energy Panacea or Pipe Dream? Bilal U. Haq, National Science Foundation, Division of Ocean Science, Arlington, VA 22230 ABSTRACT Recent interest in methane hydrates has resulted from the recognition that they may play important roles in the global carbon cycle and rapid climate change through emissions of methane from marine sediments and permafrost into the atmosphere, and in causing mass failure of sediments and structural changes on the continental slope. Their presumed large volumes are also consid- ered to be a potential source for future exploitation of methane as a resource. Natural gas hydrates occur widely on continental slope and rise, stabilized in place by high hydrostatic pressure and frigid bottom-temperature condi- tions. Change in these conditions, Figure 1. This seismic profile, over the landward side of Blake Ridge, crosses a salt diapir; the profile has either through lowering of sea level or been processed to show reflection strength. The prominent bottom simulating reflector (BSR) swings increase in bottom-water temperature, upward over the diapir because of the higher conductivity of the salt. Note the very strong reflections of may trigger the following sequence of gas accumulations below the gas-hydrate stability zone and the “blanking” of energy above it. Bright events: dissociation of the hydrate at its Spots along near-vertical faults above the diapir represent conduits for gas venting. -
Project: Apollo 8
v ._. I / I NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION TELS WO 2-4155 NEWS WASHINGTON,D.C.20546 • WO 3-6925 FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY December 15, 1968 RELEASE NO: 68.208 P PROJECT: APOLLO 8 R E contents GENERAL RELEASE----------~-------~·~-~-~--~~----~----~-~--~-l-lO MISSION OBJECTIVES------------------------------------------11 SEQUENCE OF EVENTS-------------~-------------~----~----~--~~12-14 5 Launch W1ndow~~-~----~--~-~--~-------~-----~---------w--~-14 MISSION DESCRIPTION-----------------------------------------15-19 FLIGHT PLAN--~---~-----·------------~------~----~---~----~--20-23 ALTERNATE MISSIONS---------------------------------~--------24-26 5 ABORT MODES-----~--------------~--~--~------------~---~~--~-27~29 PHOTOGRAPHIC TASKS------------------------------------------30-32 SPACECRAFT STRUCTURE SYSTEMS--------------------------------33-37 SATURN V LAUNCH VEHICLE-------------------------------------38-50 APOLLO 8 LAUNCH OPERATIONS----------------------------------51.64 MISSION CONTROL CENTER--------------------------------------65-66 MANNED SPACE FLIGHT NETWORK---------------------------------67-71 APOLLO 8 RECOVERY-------------------------------------------72-73 APOLLO 8 CREW-------------~--~--~~-~~---~---~~~-------------74-86 K LUNAR DESCRIPTION-------------------------------------------87-88 APOLLO PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/CONTRACTORS---~-------------------39-94 I APOLLO 8 GLOSSARY-------- -----------------------------------95-101 T -0- 12/6/68 NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION WO 2-4155 NEWS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 TELS.