Sigma Xi Public Talk
A Voyage to the Moon on Saturn's Wings
Presented by Harrison H. Schmitt NASA Scientist-Astronaut
Apollo 17's exploration of the valley of Taurus-Littrow, and subsequent analysis of observations, data and samples, has broadened understanding of the history of the valley, the Moon and the Hadean Eon on Earth. 45 years of study provides evidence of 1) the overturn of a portion of the lunar mantle at ~4.33 Ga, 2) the formation of three large lunar basins (in the Earth's Hadean Eon) at ~3.93, ~3.83, and between ~3.83 and ~3.74 Ga, 3) lithic pyroclastic volcanic eruptions preceding those of mare flood basalts, 4) pyroclastic lava eruptions following those of mare basalts, 5) the presence of a global lunar magnetic field at least between 3.5 and 3.7 Ga, and 6) large avalanches apparently triggered within the last 100 Myr by thrust faults.
A return to the Moon will continue to expand scientific understanding of lunar and Earth history as well as lay the operational and physiological groundwork for eventual missions to Mars and exploration of that remarkable planet.
8:00 pm, Monday, May 14, 2018
Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Hotel
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