August 23, 2018

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Color of History

Originally published June 10, 2009 LPOD-June10-09.jpg
USGS Geologic Atlas of the Moon, eastern map now available at LPI Lunar Maps Collection

Is this the most colorful map of the Moon ever made? It is one of the relics of the era of Apollo. In the early 60s the US Geological Survey started investigating the geologic history of the Moon by mapping the relative positions of ejecta from each crater. Survey mappers have identified five different eras of lunar history, denoted on these maps by vibrant colors. Yellow, as used to map Langrenus at upper left, represents the newest or Copernican craters. Hamilton,mapped as pea green at bottom center, is the next youngest age, Eratosthenian. In shades of blue (Petavius and Humboldt) are craters of Imbrian age - they formed during the period of massive mare basalt eruptions about 3.5 billion years ago. The oranges (Vendelinus) are materials formed at the time of the Nectaris Basin, and the browns are the oldest features, called Pre-Nectarian. Since these maps were made there have been a few changes of classifications (Langrenus is now considered to be Eratosthenian), but the basic system is still used widely. So when you observe the Moon, see if you can glimpse these stratigraphic colors.

Chuck Wood

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