Theophilus

[astroavani]

Unusual mineral spotting some lunar craters should not have come from the depths Moon: A new study suggests that may be remnants of objects crashing into the moon creating craters.

In recent years, the probes orbiting the moon and even some observations based on Earth found signs of olivine and other non-typical magnesium-rich minerals of the moon's crust in the central peaks of Copernicus, as well as Theophilus. Previous studies have suggested that these minerals were excavated beneath the lunar crust, which is about 30 km thick in the Moon side facing the Earth. However, new computer models that simulate the impact of a rich asteroid olivine 7 km in diameter impacting the moon's side facing the Earth show that at lower impact velocities than average (less than about 16 miles per second ), it does not pierce the crust of the moon to exhume the deeper material. Not only that, but speeds below 12 km / s which represents about 25% of all lunar impacts, nearly 50% of the input object can survive the impact and be drawn into the bottom of the crater. So the crater is marked by pieces of the asteroid that span large areas. Another source can be huge asteroids hit the Earth and splashed pieces to the space that later reached the moon. This would allow it to form large deposits material in some places on the moon and was probably what happened at that time called Late Heavy Bombardment.

Source: Astronomy +, Svetla Radeva - NASA

Adaptation and text: Avani Soares

http://www.astrobin.com/full/208352/0/

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Great image!

[xtreemchaos]

thats a great close up mate, its as if you could touch it,cracking detail. thanks for sharing charl.

[T-WING]

Great picture! Nice detail. Thanks

[CATLUC]

Hello

I confirm a great image, bravo Avani.

Clear sky.

Luc

[laudropb]

Very good lunar close up and a very instructive report. I always look forward to your posts. Thanks once again

[Astro Imp]

Thank you once again for a great image and explanation.

[Mr Spock]

I always look forward to seeing your images. This is another cracker.

[Pete Presland]

What do we need the LRO for with images like this being produced from earth, simply superb!