May 26, 2004

Triesnecker Rilles

Image Credit: Tom Leech

Triesnecker Rilles Most rilles fall into one of three categories: sinuous, linear or arcuate. But the rilles near Triesnecker don't. As this high resolution view by Tom Leech demonstrates they are mostly narrow and straightish with some tight curves. The NW-SE trending rille segments are approximately radial to Imbrium, but the N-S and E-W segments aren't. The rilles are not associated with overtly volcanic features such as domes or Cobra Head-like collapse pits. These are unusual, maybe unique rilles. Ejecta from Triesnecker appear to cover the rilles, which must thus be older than that crater. Because some of the rilles cut across other ones there must be an age progression; in general the thinner rilles seem to be older than the wider, more pronounced ones. If these razor thin rilles, like larger linear ones, are surface expressions of igneous dikes, they would have had to be very close to the surface. This is the place in an LPOD writeup where I often provide an explanation, but I don't know why these rilles are here! Technical Details: Image obtained Feb 4, 2004 with Celestron C-14, Pentax 1.4x teleconverter, Toucam Pro 740k, Toucam software, Registax 1, 160 frames stacked. Further unsharp mask enhancement by CAW. Related Links: Lunar Orbiter IV View Apollo 10 Oblique View Tomorrow's LPOD: The Jura and a Missing Rim

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Author & Editor:
Charles A. Wood

Technical Consultant:
Anthony Ayiomamitis

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