August 29, 2008

Ballistic Rake

image by Wes Higgins

Just below Tycho's eastern rim crest (at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions) are smooth ponds of impact melt. Wes' remarkable image also shows that secondaries are concentrated on the east side of the crater, and a high Sun view demonstrates that there are fewer rays to the west. Tycho was formed by an oblique impact, with the projectile coming from the west. The forward momentum carried ejecta debris to the east, raking the surface with small impacts. It wouldn't have been a good place to be 109 my ago.

Chuck Wood

Technical Details
08/23/08, 11:41:27 UT. 18" Reflector, Infinity 2-1m camera, MAP 150X64, stack of 498 frames .

Related Links
Rükl plate 64
Entire frame

Yesterday's LPOD: Wings Over the Moon

Tomorrow's LPOD: What? More Tycho?

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