#Lunar Geology

[spacefinch]

ATTENTION, SAILOR MOON FANS:

Thank you for your attention.

[volcanoenjoyer]

Bro came back for seconds

[mechanical-drawing]

08 July 1876

[darkenergyslivers]

NASA’s Juno Gets a Close Look at Jupiter’s Volcanic Moon Io on Dec. 30, 2023 (via u/enknowledgepedia on r/spaceporn)

[nemfrog]

Prehistoric lunar volcano. Life. December 15, 1958. Cover detail.

Internet Archive

[tiredwitchplant]

Everything You Need to Know About Crystals: Moonstone (White)

Moonstone (The Sacred Stone of the Moon)

Color: White, cream, yellow, blue, green

Rarity: Easy to obtain

Hardiness: 6.5

Type: Oligoclase/ Feldspar

Chakra Association: Brow, Heart, Root, Third Eye, Sacral, Solar Plexus

Deities: All Lunar Deities, Diana, Selene, Artemis, Isis, Chandra

Birthstone: June

Astrological Signs: Cancer

Element: Water

Planet: Moon

Origin: Australia, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA

Powers: Femininity, Calmness, Balance, Luck, Intuition, Healing, Sensual, Patience, Reproductive Health

Crystals It Works Well With: Aquamarine, garnet, pearl

How It is Created: Moonstone is a type of feldspar composed of potassium aluminum silicate. It can be found in a number of colors, but all examples demonstrate a particular sheen known as labradorescence; an effect also found in labradorite and blue moonstone. Labradorescence is a light effect caused by parallel hairlike structures laid down within the crystal matrix, which reflect light back and forth, creating different-colored effects, including blue, yellow, silvery gray, and white.

History: Moonstone is the sacred stone of India. During the earliest traditions, the gem was said to have been embedded in the forehead of Ganesh, the four-handed god of the moon, since the beginning of time. It was written in Hindu mythology that moonstone is made from moonbeams, thus its luster.

The magnificent gem is never displayed outside for sale unless placed on a yellow cloth, as yellow is a sacred color. According to other legends, Moonstone can give gifts of prophecy and clairvoyance to the wearer. It could also clear the mind for the wearer to welcome wisdom. But to unlock this ability, Moonstone must be placed in their mouths during the full moon. Since ancient Egypt it is considered as a spiritual stone as it is seen as the gem of protection for night travelers.

Since Moonstone looks a lot like the moonshine, ancient Romans believed that it was formed from moonlight. If you look at the gem closely, you’ll see a dance of light that lurks on the insides of the gem. Ancient Greeks merged the names of the goddess of love (Aphrodite) and the goddess of the moon (Selene) and christened Moonstone as “Aphroselene”. While the Romans believed that the gem exhibits the image of their moon goddess, Diana.

It is also known as an aphrodisiac and when worn by two people, they will fall passionately in love when the moon is high. Moonstone was once called the “Travelers Stone” as it is said to protect those who travel at night, especially at sea.

What It Can Do:

When worn, can attract true love and arouse passion

If you give your lover a moonstone during the full moon, there will be passion between you always

Can settle disagreements and return things to peaceful status

Sewn into garments can enhance fertility

Wearing moonstone protects sensitive emotions

Enhances divination, prophetic dreams and prevents nightmares

Great for meditation and scrying

Represents yin and attracts peaceful energy

Protects travelers at night and by sea

Considered good luck

Balances male-female energies and aids men who want to get in touch with their feminine side

Affects the female reproductive cycle and alleviates menstrual-related diseases and tensions

Helps with digestive and reproductive systems, assimilates nutrients, eliminates toxins and fluid retention, and alleviates degenerative conditions of the skin, hair, eyes and fleshy organs such as the liver and pancreas.

How to Get the Best Out Of: Wear as a ring or place on the appropriate body part, would recommend the forehead, for spiritual experiences, and solar plexus or heart for emotions. Women may need to remove Moonstone at full moon.

How to Cleanse and Charge: Moonstone is relatively soft stone, 6 on the Mohs scale, so it should be handled with care as it can be easily scratched or crushed. Moonstone should be stored separate from other jewelry in its own soft bag or lined box and should not be worn while performing strenuous tasks that could result in it getting bumped or scratched. It can be cleaned with plain water and a soft cloth. If it gets scratched, take it to a jeweler to have it polished out.

Charge your moonstone in the light of the waxing moon and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Crystal Grid: N/A Couldn't find one that wasn't too complex @_@

Sources

[lovelavish]

Garden Quartz Pendant - Avail.

[africa-space-com]

The role of lunar exploration in understanding Earth's history

Lunar exploration has long captured the imagination of scientists and space enthusiasts alike. But beyond the excitement of moon landings and potential colonies, exploring the moon plays a crucial role in helping us understand Earth's history. Here's how:

The Moon as a time capsule

The moon acts as a natural time capsule. Unlike Earth, which undergoes constant change due to weather, tectonic activities, and human influence, the moon's surface remains relatively undisturbed. This preservation allows scientists to study its surface and gain insights into the early solar system, including the formative years of our own planet.

Understanding Earth's early days

By examining lunar rocks and soil, scientists can learn about the conditions that prevailed in the early solar system. The similarities and differences between lunar and terrestrial samples can help us piece together the history of planetary formation. For instance, the analysis of moon rocks brought back by the Apollo missions revealed that both the Earth and the moon share a common origin, likely from a colossal impact event.

Impact history

The moon’s surface is dotted with craters, a record of countless impacts over billions of years. By studying these craters, scientists can understand the history of asteroid and comet impacts in our solar system. This information is crucial because the same impacts that shaped the moon have also affected Earth. Learning about these events helps us understand the frequency and scale of impacts that have influenced Earth’s geological and biological history.

Lunar geology and Earth's evolution

Moon exploration has uncovered much about the moon’s geology, which in turn informs our understanding of Earth's geological processes. The moon’s lack of atmosphere means that its surface has remained largely unchanged, preserving a pristine record of its geological history. By comparing this with Earth's dynamic geology, scientists can infer the processes that have shaped our planet over time.

The Moon as a mirror

The moon also serves as a mirror to study Earth. Observations of Earth from the lunar surface provide unique perspectives that are impossible to obtain from Earth itself. These observations help scientists understand Earth's atmosphere, weather patterns, and environmental changes from a different vantage point.

Preparing for the future

Lunar exploration is not just about looking back; it’s also about preparing for the future. By studying the moon, scientists and engineers are developing technologies and strategies that will be essential for future space exploration. This includes learning how to build sustainable habitats, utilize lunar resources, and protect astronauts from space radiation. These advancements will be crucial for future missions to Mars and beyond.

Lunar exploration offers a window into the past, providing valuable insights into Earth's history and the broader solar system. By continuing to explore and study the moon, we not only unravel the mysteries of our own planet’s origins but also pave the way for humanity’s future in space. The moon holds the keys to many questions about our past, present, and future, making its exploration a vital endeavor for scientific discovery and advancement.

[biology-geology-beaches-india]

The molluscan sterility that marked the seashore, marked the inshore rocks as well. Expect for a few rocks that bore white blotches of Oyster encrustations, these black boulders were almost lunar of aspect, their black surface devoid of seaweed, periwinkles, barnacles, and even for that matter skittering crabs, they wont to scamper back on the seashore rocks of Andhra Pradesh, India, in literal swarms.

The rocks themselves though were interesting in their physical geology characteristics - nice rounded humps that looked almost man-made, a shoal of rounded rocks as it were.

Dawis Beach, January 26, 2024, Digos City, Mindanao, The Philippines.

[spacenutspod]

SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 39 The Astronomy, Space and Science News Podcast Moon's Oldest Impact Crater Dated, NASA's Punch Mission Launches, and Europe's First Orbital Rocket Countdown In this episode of SpaceTime, we reveal groundbreaking findings that pinpoint the age of the Moon's oldest and largest impact crater, the Aitken Basin. Recent analysis of lunar regolith collected by China's Chang'e 6 mission indicates that this massive structure was formed approximately 4.25 billion years ago by a colossal asteroid impact. We discuss how this discovery enhances our understanding of the Moon's geological history and its role in the solar system's evolution. NASA's Punch Mission We also cover the successful launch of NASA's Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission, which is now in orbit and entering its commissioning phase. This innovative mission aims to make 3D observations of the Sun's corona and its transformation into solar wind, providing vital data to improve space weather predictions and protect our technology from solar storms. Countdown for Europe's First Orbital Rocket Launch Additionally, we discuss the countdown for mainland Europe's first orbital rocket launch, a significant milestone for the European space economy. The launch of the Spectrum rocket by ISA Aerospace from Norway's Andoya spaceport is poised to mark a new era in European space exploration, especially following recent setbacks due to geopolitical challenges and delays in existing launch systems. 00:00 Space Time Series 28 Episode 39 for broadcast on 31 March 2025 00:49 Dating the Moon's Aitken Basin 06:30 Analysis of lunar samples from Chang'e 6 mission 12:15 Overview of NASA's Punch mission and its objectives 18:00 Implications of solar wind studies for space weather prediction 22:45 Countdown for Europe's first orbital rocket launch 27:00 Summary of recent space exploration developments 30:15 Discussion on the impact of microplastics on photosynthesis www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com www.bitesz.com 🌏 Get Our Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. Enjoy incredible discounts and bonuses! Plus, it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✌ Check out our newest sponsor - Old Glory - Iconic Music and Sports Merch and now with official NASA merchandise. Well worth checking out... Become a supporter of this Podcast for as little as $3 per month and access commercial-free episodes plus bonuses: https://www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com/about ✍️ Episode References National Science Review https://www.nature.com/nsr/ NASA https://www.nasa.gov ISA Aerospace https://www.isa-aerospace.com/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-space-astronomy--2458531/support.

[whats-in-a-sentence]

Harrison Schmitt, the geologist who went to the Moon in Challenger, Apollo 17's LM, is quite the devotee.*

* Though given that Mr Schmitt also has form as a climate-change denier, I am not quite sure what he thinks the pressing need for fusion power actually is.

"The Moon: A History for the Future" - Oliver Morton

[tenth-sentence]

Never before has it had tire tracks across its surface or its boulders eroded by hammer blows.

"The Moon: A History for the Future" - Oliver Morton

[scientificinquirer-blog]

DAILY DOSE: Obesity drugs not linked to suicidal thoughts; Controversy surrounds private company trip to the moon.

NO SAFETY CONCERNS. A recent study suggests GLP-1 agonists, used for obesity and diabetes treatment, don’t increase suicidal thoughts, countering previous concerns. The study, analyzing over a million U.S. health records, found no link between these drugs (including Ozempic and Wegovy) and suicidal ideation, possibly indicating a protective effect. However, experts urge caution, noting the…

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Some Geology Vocabulary

for your next poem/story (pt. 1)

Abyssal plain - A flat region of the deep ocean floor.

Aeolian - Describes materials formed, eroded, or deposited by or related to the action of wind.

Braided stream - A sediment-clogged stream that forms multiple channels that divide and rejoin.

Colluvium - A general term applied to loose and incoherent deposits, usually at the foot of a slope or cliff and brought there chiefly by gravity.

Conchoidal - Resembling the curve of a conch shell and used to describe a smoothly curved surface on a rock or mineral; characteristic of quartz and obsidian.

Devitrification - Conversion of glass to crystalline material.

Dune - A low mound or ridge of sediment, usually sand, deposited by the wind.

Ephemeral lake - A short-lived lake.

Estuary - The seaward end or tidal mouth of a river where freshwater and seawater mix.

Euhedral - A grain bounded by perfect crystal faces; well-formed.

Fenestral - Having openings or transparent areas in a rock.

Fluvial - Of or pertaining to a river or rivers.

Friable - Describes a rock or mineral that is easily crumbled.

Granoblastic - Describes the texture of a metamorphic rock in which recrystallization formed crystals of nearly the same size in all directions.

Hermatypic - Describes a type of reef-building coral that is incapable of adjusting to conditions lacking sunlight.

Hot spring - A thermal spring whose temperature is above that of the human body.

Isthmus - A narrow strip or neck of land, bordered on both sides by water, connecting two larger land areas.

Lacustrine - Describes a process, feature, or organism pertaining to, produced by, or inhabiting a lake.

Lithify - To change to stone, or to petrify; especially to consolidate from a loose sediment to solid rock.

Lunar tide - The part of the tide caused solely by the tide-producing force of the Moon.

Source ⚜ More: Word Lists

[sepdet]

Happy Moon Day! July 20, 1969.

Oil painting by astronaut Alan Bean, the fourth man to set foot on the Moon.

If you look closely, there is a portrait of Neil Armstrong taking the picture reflected in Aldrin's faceplate, and what appears to be a mistake, another astronaut standing between a tall silvery rectangle (a solar wind experiment) and the lander's leg. I always assumed this was a self-portrait, but it's probably more than that. Bean remarked of this painting's companion piece, "First Man," a portrait of what Armstrong must have looked like while taking this photo:

“I guess every astronaut wanted to be the first man on the Moon. I know I did,” says Alan Bean. “And if we couldn't be the first, we at least wanted to be one of the first. Apollo 11’s crew got the opportunity to make the first attempt. Neil, Buzz and Mike flew a perfect flight and went into the history books; but all 400,000 Americans that helped make Apollo a success are in that history, too.”

Bean often used copies of his lunar equipment to pre-texture the surface of his paintings. This one has boot footprints, gouges from his geology hammer, and circular punches from a handheld core sampler.