Geologic History of the Amundsen Crater Region Near the Lunar South Pole: Basis for Future Exploration
We provide the first detailed 1:100,000 scale geomorphologic map of the ∼100 km Amundsen crater region, which is of high scientific relevance for future exploration, e.g., NASA’s VIPER mission, the Artemis program, and the Chinese International Lunar Research Station. We investigated the complex geo...
Published in: | The Planetary Science Journal |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
IOP Publishing
2024
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 https://doaj.org/article/70c1db55995042df90c9c9f532b9b55f |
id |
ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:70c1db55995042df90c9c9f532b9b55f |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:70c1db55995042df90c9c9f532b9b55f 2024-09-09T20:09:01+00:00 Geologic History of the Amundsen Crater Region Near the Lunar South Pole: Basis for Future Exploration Lukas Wueller Wajiha Iqbal Thomas Frueh Carolyn H. van der Bogert Harald Hiesinger 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 https://doaj.org/article/70c1db55995042df90c9c9f532b9b55f EN eng IOP Publishing https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 https://doaj.org/toc/2632-3338 doi:10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 2632-3338 https://doaj.org/article/70c1db55995042df90c9c9f532b9b55f The Planetary Science Journal, Vol 5, Iss 6, p 147 (2024) Planetary geology The Moon Planetary polar regions Planetary mineralogy Planetary surfaces Lunar craters Astronomy QB1-991 article 2024 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 2024-08-05T17:49:10Z We provide the first detailed 1:100,000 scale geomorphologic map of the ∼100 km Amundsen crater region, which is of high scientific relevance for future exploration, e.g., NASA’s VIPER mission, the Artemis program, and the Chinese International Lunar Research Station. We investigated the complex geological history of the region before and after the formation of Amundsen crater on the rims of the South Pole–Aitken (SPA) and Amundsen–Ganswindt basins. We present a new Amundsen crater formation age of ∼4.04 Ga, which, in contrast to previously derived ages, is based on non-light-plains terrain. The estimated maximum excavation depth for Amundsen crater is ∼8 km, and elevated concentrations of FeO near the crater suggest that Amundsen may have redistributed SPA-derived materials. Plains materials of various kinds were observed both inside and outside Amundsen crater and are estimated to be up to 350 m thick and ∼3.8 Ga old. A less cratered, tens of meters thick mantling unit indicates a resurfacing event ∼3.7 Ga ago. We highlight five potential exploration sites that satisfy technical constraints (such as shallow slopes, solar illumination, and Earth visibility), provide materials that can be sampled, and are capable of addressing multiple science objectives. Due to its accessibility and traversability, combined with its geologic diversity, proximity of permanently shadowed regions for studying volatile processes, and ability to address multiple science objectives, we confirm and reinforce the Amundsen crater region as a high-priority landing and exploration site. Article in Journal/Newspaper South pole Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Aitken ENVELOPE(-44.516,-44.516,-60.733,-60.733) South Pole The Planetary Science Journal 5 6 147 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Planetary geology The Moon Planetary polar regions Planetary mineralogy Planetary surfaces Lunar craters Astronomy QB1-991 |
spellingShingle |
Planetary geology The Moon Planetary polar regions Planetary mineralogy Planetary surfaces Lunar craters Astronomy QB1-991 Lukas Wueller Wajiha Iqbal Thomas Frueh Carolyn H. van der Bogert Harald Hiesinger Geologic History of the Amundsen Crater Region Near the Lunar South Pole: Basis for Future Exploration |
topic_facet |
Planetary geology The Moon Planetary polar regions Planetary mineralogy Planetary surfaces Lunar craters Astronomy QB1-991 |
description |
We provide the first detailed 1:100,000 scale geomorphologic map of the ∼100 km Amundsen crater region, which is of high scientific relevance for future exploration, e.g., NASA’s VIPER mission, the Artemis program, and the Chinese International Lunar Research Station. We investigated the complex geological history of the region before and after the formation of Amundsen crater on the rims of the South Pole–Aitken (SPA) and Amundsen–Ganswindt basins. We present a new Amundsen crater formation age of ∼4.04 Ga, which, in contrast to previously derived ages, is based on non-light-plains terrain. The estimated maximum excavation depth for Amundsen crater is ∼8 km, and elevated concentrations of FeO near the crater suggest that Amundsen may have redistributed SPA-derived materials. Plains materials of various kinds were observed both inside and outside Amundsen crater and are estimated to be up to 350 m thick and ∼3.8 Ga old. A less cratered, tens of meters thick mantling unit indicates a resurfacing event ∼3.7 Ga ago. We highlight five potential exploration sites that satisfy technical constraints (such as shallow slopes, solar illumination, and Earth visibility), provide materials that can be sampled, and are capable of addressing multiple science objectives. Due to its accessibility and traversability, combined with its geologic diversity, proximity of permanently shadowed regions for studying volatile processes, and ability to address multiple science objectives, we confirm and reinforce the Amundsen crater region as a high-priority landing and exploration site. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Lukas Wueller Wajiha Iqbal Thomas Frueh Carolyn H. van der Bogert Harald Hiesinger |
author_facet |
Lukas Wueller Wajiha Iqbal Thomas Frueh Carolyn H. van der Bogert Harald Hiesinger |
author_sort |
Lukas Wueller |
title |
Geologic History of the Amundsen Crater Region Near the Lunar South Pole: Basis for Future Exploration |
title_short |
Geologic History of the Amundsen Crater Region Near the Lunar South Pole: Basis for Future Exploration |
title_full |
Geologic History of the Amundsen Crater Region Near the Lunar South Pole: Basis for Future Exploration |
title_fullStr |
Geologic History of the Amundsen Crater Region Near the Lunar South Pole: Basis for Future Exploration |
title_full_unstemmed |
Geologic History of the Amundsen Crater Region Near the Lunar South Pole: Basis for Future Exploration |
title_sort |
geologic history of the amundsen crater region near the lunar south pole: basis for future exploration |
publisher |
IOP Publishing |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 https://doaj.org/article/70c1db55995042df90c9c9f532b9b55f |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-44.516,-44.516,-60.733,-60.733) |
geographic |
Aitken South Pole |
geographic_facet |
Aitken South Pole |
genre |
South pole |
genre_facet |
South pole |
op_source |
The Planetary Science Journal, Vol 5, Iss 6, p 147 (2024) |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 https://doaj.org/toc/2632-3338 doi:10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 2632-3338 https://doaj.org/article/70c1db55995042df90c9c9f532b9b55f |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ad2c04 |
container_title |
The Planetary Science Journal |
container_volume |
5 |
container_issue |
6 |
container_start_page |
147 |
_version_ |
1809943123503087616 |