Exploration 2 Worksheet
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Indiana University, Bloomington *
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Course
100
Subject
Geography
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
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3
Uploaded by MajorHippopotamus2975
A100 Exploration 2 – Exploring the Lunar Surface Instructions and Tips:
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List the source used to learn the type of features for each object in Question 1. For this exercise, I recommend getting all information from NASA websites or the textbook. In most search engines, you can specify only NASA websites by searching “site:nasa.gov” with your keywords. -
You can also search “NASA” + object name to get the information needed for Question 1.
Question 1:
You will notice there are multiple surface features on the Moon! For each surface feature on the zoomed in version of the Moon (Fig. 1) do the following: Define the region in one sentence, note whether there any Apollo missions associated with the region, and list the source used for the definition. [3 Points for each entry, 9 total for Question 1]
Object Name
Type of Feature
Apollo Mission?
Source:
Vallis Capella
Large Canyon Near a
Crater
No nearby missions
http://
apollo.sese.asu.edu/
LIW/20090210.html
Copernicus (Crater)
Shorter depth, widen
crater
No nearby Missions
https://
moon.nasa.gov/
resources/117/
copernicus-from-lunar-
orbiter/
Mare Tranquillitatis
Flat landscape with
small digs or craters
(flatter)
Apollo 11
https://
www.skyatnightmagazi
ne.com/
astrophotography/
moon/mare-
tranquillitatis/
Montes Appenius*
Almost like a strip of
mountain, seems like a
mountainous line
No nearby missions
https://
blog.jatan.space/p/the-
mountain-range-
montes-apenninus
The information for the first surface feature has been filled in as an example:
* The Montes Appenius can be difficult to find on a NASA webpage. I recommend http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/LIW/20080930.html
Question 2: Heavily cratered regions are thought to be older areas of a celestial object. What is one old region from Image 1 of the Moon and one younger region? Only the names need to be added below. [2 points]
Young Region: Mare Tranquilltatis
Old Region: Mare Serenitatis
Question 3: Based on the zoomed in topographical map of the Moon (image 2), describe in one sentence where the highest elevation region is located. Where is one region with low elevation? Add a rough estimate of the elevation (e.g., 0-2 km) from reading the topographical map along with your one-
sentence description. You can use longitude and latitude ranges as well to describe your location. [4 points]
Most Heavily Cratered Elevation: Theophilus
- Seems to be the deepest crater in image 1, I estimate a depth of 1km. Found in the bottom middle, and to the right along the edge of the image.
Least Heavily Cratered Elevation: Montes appeninus-
This is a mountainous like region that seems to be almost 1.5km tall. Found in the up, middle, and to the left.
Question 4: The last piece of the puzzle on the lunar surface has to do with rock composition. The maria (e.g., Mare Tranquillitatis) are darker and made of basalt materials. In other words, old lava! The lighter regions are made of a crushed-up moon dust, analogous to dust/dirt (but not the same as dirt on Earth).
What is one region that appeared to have significant volcanic activity from the Table in Image 1?
What is one region without significant volcanic activity? [2 points]
Region with significant volcanic activity: Serenitatis
seems like the place with the most volcanic activity due to the darkest color of material.
Region with no or little volcanic activity:
Hipparchus is the place by far with the lightest material, therefore must have little or no volcanic activity.
Question 5:
Citing evidence from questions 2-4, why does the Moon have lots of craters in some locations and none in others as viewed from Earth? [2 points]
According to my evidence in questions 2-4, the Moon has craters due to impacts from asteroids
and comets. Additionally, some areas have more craters because they are older and have been exposed to more impacts over time. Other areas have fewer craters because they have been resurfaced by volcanic activity or by the filling of impact craters with lava. Lastly, the viewing angle from Earth also affects the visibility of craters.
Question 6: If you were directing astronauts on an Apollo mission, what experiment would you recommend the astronauts conduct to test your hypothesis? Answer in 1-2 sentences [1 point]
I would recommend conducting a sample return mission to gather rocks and soil from both heavily cratered and smoother areas of the Moon. Then analyzing the age and composition of the samples in a laboratory on Earth could help to determine if the differences in cratering are due to differences in age or other factors such as volcanic activity or impact from objects.
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