Astro 105

Apollo 14

A mission launched in February 1971 to study the Fra Mauro highlands after Apollo 13's failure to land.

Fra Mauro formation

The landing site of Apollo 14, chosen for its significance in studying ancient lunar impacts.

Imbrium impact

One of the Moon’s most significant ancient impacts, which the Apollo 14 mission aimed to study.

Cone Crater Traverse

An activity aimed at collecting deep-seated lunar materials by climbing the steep slope of Cone Crater during Apollo 14.

Big Bertha (Sample 14321)

A 9 kg breccia collected during Apollo 14, possibly containing a piece of Earth’s crust.

Modular Equipment Transporter (MET)

A hand-pulled cart used during Apollo 14 to carry tools and samples.

ALSEP

Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package, left behind during Apollo missions to measure various lunar activities.

Lunar Rover

A vehicle used in Apollo 15, marking the first mission with this technology to enhance lunar exploration.

Hadley Rille

A deep channel explored during Apollo 15, believed to be a collapsed lava tube.

Genesis Rock (Sample 15415)

A 4.5 billion-year-old anorthosite from Apollo 15, confirming the Moon’s early crust composition.

Green Glass Spherules (Sample 15426)

Volcanic glass collected during Apollo 15, indicating fire-fountain eruptions in the Moon's history.

Apollo 16

A mission launched in April 1972 focused on testing the volcanic hypothesis regarding the Moon's highlands.

North Ray Crater

The largest crater visited by Apollo astronauts during the Apollo 16 mission.

House Rock (Sample 67015)

A large breccia boulder collected during Apollo 16, providing insights into the Moon's impact history.

Lunar Magnetic Field Evidence

Hints from Apollo 16 data suggesting that the early Moon may have had a weak magnetic field.

Late Heavy Bombardment

A period of intense asteroid impacts on the Moon between 4.1 and 3.8 billion years ago.

Volcanism vs. Impact Processes

The overarching theme debated across Apollo missions 14-16 regarding the formation of the Moon's surface.

Magma Ocean Hypothesis

The theory suggesting that the Moon's early crust formed from a molten ocean, confirmed by findings from Apollo missions.

Lunar Crust Formation

Evidence from Apollo missions indicating that the Moon's crust was formed primarily through impact events.