Lunar mascons linked to impacts
Posted: Sun, Jun 2, 2013, 8:40 AM ET (1240 GMT)
Scientists have associated irregularities in the Moon's gravity field with impacts by asteroids and comets early in the Moon's history. In a paper in the journal Science, scientists used the detailed gravity map of the Moon created by NASA's GRAIL mission last year to study the origin of mass concentrations, or mascons, below the lunar surface that create localized variations of the lunar gravity field. Using models of large impacts, scientists believe the mascons formed after impacts by asteroids and comets early in the Moon's history, when its interior was much hotter than now. Those models showed the mixing of light crust material and denser mantle material in the impacts created the mascons, which crate bullseye-like patterns in the lunar gravity map.
Scientists have associated irregularities in the Moon's gravity field with impacts by asteroids and comets early in the Moon's history. In a paper in the journal Science, scientists used the detailed gravity map of the Moon created by NASA's GRAIL mission last year to study the origin of mass concentrations, or mascons, below the lunar surface that create localized variations of the lunar gravity field. Using models of large impacts, scientists believe the mascons formed after impacts by asteroids and comets early in the Moon's history, when its interior was much hotter than now. Those models showed the mixing of light crust material and denser mantle material in the impacts created the mascons, which crate bullseye-like patterns in the lunar gravity map.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, February 23
AAC Clyde Space presents INFLECION: Safer Oceans, Smarter Shipping, and Greener Future
AAC Clyde Space — 1:45 pm ET (1845 GMT) European Commission Supports Atmos With €13.1 Million EIC Funding
Atmos Space Cargo — 1:44 pm ET (1844 GMT) Welcoming Head of Product to Dominate Innovation Across Navigation and Autonomy
Advanced Navigation — 1:42 pm ET (1842 GMT) Mystery of 'remarkable' cosmic explosion that lay hidden for years
Royal Astronomical Society — 1:41 pm ET (1841 GMT) DESI Uncovers 300 New Intermediate-Mass Black Holes Plus 2500 New Active Black Holes in Dwarf Galaxies
National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory — 1:40 pm ET (1840 GMT) |
