Mesmerizing Patterns

Beautifil abstract pattern formed as ejecta flowed across topography — Mesmerizing abstract pattern (17.45°S, 144.75°E) formed as low-angle ejecta from a 2.4-kilometer diameter crater was emplaced from the lower left towards the upper right. The curve indicates the underlying steep slope (20°). M169615970LR, acquired 2011-09-02, incidence angle 28°, phase angle 29°, spacecraft altitude 45 kilometers, image width 2250 meters [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

The relative brightness of the lunar surface is predominantly a function of composition and maturity. Soils with a high iron content are darker, and very bright soils are immature. The lunar surface is covered by finely powdered soil formed as asteroidal material, primarily small, collides with the Moon, breaking up rocks into fine particles. Lunar soil is known as regolith. Over time, as the regolith is exposed to the vacuum of space, it matures (darkens) due to interactions with radiation and micrometeorites. The maturation process only affects the top 20 or 30 centimeters (8-12 inches), so when larger impact craters are formed, they dig up and eject bright immature regolith from depth, resulting in distinctive bright patterns. The ejecta seen here traveled 12 kilometers from its 2.3-kilometer diameter source crater.

Full resolution of center of opening image — Full resolution detail of the opening image (M169615970LR). Note that some small craters excavate relatively dark materials while others reveal bright material. What can we learn about the subsurface by investigating these small craters? Image width 468 meters, north is up [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Explore the entire NAC pair mosaic (M169615970LR), 4151 meters wide, north is up [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

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Published by Mark Robinson on 28 January 2025