THE discovery of an orange-coloured soil on the Moon by the Apollo 17 astronauts last December led to much excitement and speculation. Dr Jack Schmitt, the geologist on the mission, realized that such yellow to orange coloration in rocks on Earth is usually due to hydrated iron oxides .
Where is the orange soil on the Moon?
In addition, fire fountaining, whereby volcanic lava is lofted and cools into small glass beads before falling back to the surface, can create small but important deposits in some locations, such as the orange dirt found at Shorty Crater in the Taurus-Littrow valley by Apollo 17, and the green glass found at Hadley- ...
Why is there orange soil on the Moon?
December 19, 1972: The Apollo 17 crew returned to Earth, completing the final manned moon mission. Their cargo included orange soil they unexpectedly found on the moon. ... Shorty Crater’s orange soil formed from molten drops that sprayed from a lunar volcanic eruption some 3.64 billion years ago, NASA later determined.
What is the soil on the Moon called?
The lunar surface is covered by a layer of unconsolidated debris called the lunar regolith (fig.
What Colour is the dirt on the Moon?
The powdery grey dirt is formed by micrometeorite impacts which pulverize local rocks into fine particles. The energy from these collisions melts the dirt into vapor that cools and condenses on soil particles, coating them in a glassy shell. These particles can wreak havoc on space suits and other equipment.
Why is selling moon rocks illegal?
A lunar meteorite is a piece of the Moon. ... This is why many people think that owning a Moon Rock is illegal – because the Apollo samples are illegal to own by private citizens . Apollo Moon Rocks are NASA and US government property which cannot be sold or exchanged to private citizens.
Is there glass on the moon?
Recent studies from a team of NASA scientists have suggested that water can be found on the moon.
What is moon made of?
The crust of the Moon is composed mostly of oxygen, silicon, magnesium, iron, calcium, and aluminum . There are also trace elements like titanium, uranium, thorium, potassium and hydrogen. Want to compare the Moon to other objects in the Solar System? Here’s what the Earth is made of, and here’s what Mars is made of.
What does moon dust feel like?
Feel it–it’s soft like snow, yet strangely abrasive . Taste it–“not half bad,” according to Apollo 16 astronaut John Young. Sniff it–“it smells like spent gunpowder,” says Cernan. How do you sniff moondust?
What is moon soil made of?
The lunar soil consists of three basic components: (1) rock fragments, (2) mineral grains and (3) glass particles . The composition of these three basic components varies considerably from one site to another, depending upon the nature of the bedrock.
Is it illegal to own a moon rock?
It is illegal to own or possess any lunar material brought back from the Apollo program , including those samples gifted to the states and other nations.
Is soil on the moon?
The surface of the moon is mostly covered with regolith , a mixture of fine dust and rocky debris made by meteor impacts. Regolith can be called the “soil” of the Moon.
Can lunar soil support life?
Use of indigenous lunar regolith as a terrestrial-like soil for plant growth could offer a solid support substrate, buffering capacity, nutrient source/storage/retention capabilities, and should be relatively easy to maintain.
What is the rarest moon color?
Blue-colored moons are rare – aren’t necessarily full – and happen when Earth’s atmosphere contains dust or smoke particles of a certain size. The particles must be slightly wider than 900 nanometers.
Why is moon white?
When the Moon is low in the sky, you’re seeing its light go through the most atmosphere. Light on the blue end of the spectrum is scattered away, while the red light isn’t scattered. ... During the day, the Moon has to compete with sunlight , which is also being scattered by the atmosphere, so it looks white.
Is the moon blue and brown?
Lunar soil from the Apollo 11 landing site. Mostly gray, the fine material shows splashes of colors, including green, red and brown. Image by Randy Korotev, Washington Univ. The “true” color of the Moon is a brownish (i.e., reddish) gray , but overall, the surface is fairly neutral in tone.
