PURPOSE: to study the Moon's properties and features through the process of image analysis

MATERIALS: calculator, ruler, lunar images, lunar rock and soil samples

INSTRUCTIONS: print out these pages and complete the activities according to the instructions below

2.1. (1 pt) The Moon is over __________ miles from Earth.

 a)   100,000
 b)   20,000
 c)   1,000,000
 d)   200,000

2.2. (1 pt) The Moon has a synchronous orbit. This means the Moon __________ once for every time it __________.

 a)   revolves around the Sun; rotates on its axis
 b)   goes through its cycle of phases; revolves around the Sun
 c)   rotates on its axis; revolves around the Sun
 d)   rotates on its axis; goes through its cycle of phases

2.3. (1 pt) The Moon formed about __________ years ago by the process of accretion.

 a)   4.5 million
 b)   4.5 billion
 c)   15 billion
 d)   3.5 billion

2.4.   The maximum lunar surface temperature (daytime) is T_DAY = 396 K. The minimum lunar surface
temperature (at night) is T_NIGHT = 110 K. Recall the relation : F = (9/5)[ K - 273.15] + 32

a) (2 pts) Calculate the maximum surface temperature on the Moon (in °F).




b) (2 pts) Calculate the minimum (nighttime) surface temperature on the Moon.

One of the reasons for this extreme range in temperatures on our Moon is that the Moon essentially has
no atmosphere. Although small traces of gases like neon, argon, helium, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide
have been detected, essentially the Moon cannot retain an atmosphere because of its small mass. Thus,
its surface is not effected by any weather phenomena and has little protection from or filtering of the
intense sunlight.

2.5. (2 pts) Recall that the Earth has a diameter of 12,756 km. The Moon has a diameter of 3476 km. How many times smaller is the Moon?

2.6. (2 pts) The Moon has an average bulk density of ρ = 3.34 g/cm³. We learned previously (see 'The
Local Universe' lab) that the Earth has a density of ρ = 5.52 g/cm³. Calculate how many times less dense
the Moon is than the Earth.

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**EXPERIMENT**
Now let's look at some lunar rock and soil samples.

Your TA has set up some lunar samples for you to examine. Go to the experiment set-up table to complete this activity. You must stay at the demo table under the supervision of your TA for this experiment.

2.7. (2 pts) Locate the breccia rock sample and describe it (i.e., size, shape, weight, color, texture, any
unique characteristics, etc.).

2.8. (2 pts) Now locate the basalt rock sample and describe it (i.e., size, shape, weight, color, texture, any unique characteristics, etc.).

2.9. (2 pts) Now locate the soil samples (4A, 4B, 4C) and describe each (i.e., color, texture, grain size, any unique characteristics, etc.).

2.10.   Now examine the terrestrial (Earth) rock and soil samples (T1 and T2).

a) (2 pts) Describe both (i.e., size, shape, weight, color, texture, grain size, any unique characteristics, etc.).









b) (2 pts) How are the lunar samples similar to and different from the terrestrial samples? Be sure to give examples.

3.1. (1 pt) The highlands are __________.

 a)   small mountains
 b)   rocky, elevated regions of lunar crust
 c)   cliffs
 d)   rocky plateaus

3.2. (1 pt) A rille is a __________ but a scarp is a __________.

 a)   canyon; cliff
 b)   canyon; basin
 c)   cliff; canyon
 d)   cliff; basin

3.3. (1 pt) A crater is a __________.

 a)   valley or basin
 b)   square-shaped depression created by a meteor impact
 c)   bowl-shaped depression created by a meteor impact
 d)   large craters filled in by lava that appear smooth and flat

3.4. (1 pt) The maria are __________.

 a)   large craters filled in by lava that appear smooth and flat
 b)   large oceans
 c)   large craters filled in by rock that appear smooth
 d)   large regions of flowing lava

3.5. (1 pt) Strata is __________.

 a)   leftover ejecta
 b)   visibly distinct craters inside larger craters
 c)   the mixture of loose rock and soil on the surface
 d)   visibly distinct layers of rock and/or ejecta

3.6. (7 pts) Match each marked feature on the 'Lunar Image Map' provided with the type of surface feature it is. [NOTE: the copy in your lab manual is dark so you will do best if you use a class copy of the map]

a)    __________

3.7.   Open this webpage. Scroll down half a page and examine the images of the Earth and our Moon. [Note: you can also view class Images #1 and #2].

a) (2 pts) Describe the similarities and differences between the surface of Earth and the surface of the Moon.











b) (2 pts) Based on these images, give two possible reasons for the major differences we observe between the terrestrial and lunar surfaces.

3.8.   Now look at this lunar disk image. It distinguishes between the near and far sides of the Moon.

a) (2 pts) Compare and contrast the different types and numbers of surface features you see on the near and far sides
of the Moon.











b) (2 pts) What is the major reason for these differences? Explain how.

4.1. (2 pts) Open this webpage about the Apollo Program lunar landing missions.

a) View slide #2 and slide #4 of the Apollo 11 landing site. You can click on the images to enlarge them.
The large white arrow on each shows exactly where the astronauts landed. Describe the terrain of this site.





b) Now view slide #32 and slide #34 of the Apollo 17 site. Again, find the large arrow and describe the terrain
of this landing site.

4.2. (2 pts) Examine this close-up image of the lunar surface. List all of the surface features which you see in this image. [Hint: there are AT LEAST six different types, if not more]

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**EXPERIMENT**
Here you will use a photograph to see how we estimate the sizes of lunar features. Obtain class Image #5 (Moon near first
quarter) from the TA and a ruler.

4.3. (3 pts) Measure the diameter (in mm) of the large crater marked #1. If the image scale is 0.375 mm/km, then
calculate the true diameter of the crater in kilometers (km).

4.4.   Now examine the crater marked #3 on the same image.

a) (1 pt) Notice the shadow that is created by the crater's righthand wall. Measure the width of this shadow (S) :

4.5. (1 pt)Why can't the method used above in #4.4 be used to find the depth or width of crater #10 in this image?

4.6. (4 pts) Examine class Image #8 of a crater field. Four very different craters are labeled A thru D. Describe how each is different.

4.7. (2 pts) Based on the above images and results, what can you conclude about the types and sizes
(diameter and depth) of craters on the Moon? What about as compared to “craters” on Earth (Meteor
Crater in Arizona is ~0.17 km deep and ~ 1.6 km wide) ? Support both your answers.

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**EXPERIMENT**
Here you will use photographs to learn about the formation and relative age dating of lunar features. Go to this website. You can click on the images to enlarge them.

4.8.   Compare the large craters in the 'Schickard' and 'Gassendi 2' images.

a) (2 pts) How are these two craters similar? How are they different?







b) (2 pts) List two photographic traits that indicate to us these features are in fact craters?

4.9. (3 pts) Examine the image labeled 'Phocylides'. Do you agree that the crater floor here has been
recently ‘flooded’ with lava, as compared to its surroundings? Is the surrounding terrain older, about
same age, or younger than the large crater? Give reasons for both.

4.10.   Both the images 'Rupes Recta' and 'Ukert' show large linear structures (vertical line in center of image).

a) (2 pts) In 'Rupes Recta', what might this structure be and/or how might it have formed? Support your answer with photographic evidence.









b) (3 pts) In 'Ukert', What might this structure be and/or how might it have formed? Also give some
photographic evidence to support the suggestion that this feature formed very differently than the one
in the 'Rupes Recta' photo.

4.11. (2 pts) Examine the image named 'Arzachel & Alpetragius'. The “ripple-like” texture underlying this entire image
is called lobate flow. Use the argument of shadowing to explain whether the lobate flow is higher or lower in elevation
than the nearby craters and mountains.

4.12. (3 pts) Compare the two images labeled 'Plato' (1st one) and 'Calvius' below it. Based on the number/size of
craters in this image, would you conclude that the Calvius region of the Moon is comparatively younger or older than
the Plato region? Give at least two reasons to support your answer.

4.13. (3 pts) Compare the two images labeled 'Vallis Alps' and 'Horrocks'. Would you conclude that the Vallis Alps
region is older, about same age, or younger than the horrocks region? Give at least two reasons to support your answer.

4.14. (4 pts) Draw a timeline (with key events and dates) and give a brief description of how the Moon and its many prominent surface features formed.

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