[P-PS06] Lunar Science and Exploration

[PPS06-P11] Investigation of accessibility of coexisting sites of olivine- and plagioclase-rich rocks on the lunar surface as potential sites for future sample return missions

*Satoru Yamamoto¹, Yuzuru Karouji, Hiroshi Nagaoka⁴, Yoshiaki Ishihara², Makiko Ohtake³, Masahiro KAYAMA⁵ (1.Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2.JAXA Space Exploration Center (JSEC), JAXA, 3.University of Aizu, 4.RIKEN, 5.University of Tokyo)

Keywords:Remote sensing, Kaguya/SELENE, Lunar mineral

So far, 14 sites of co-existing occurrences (co-existing sites) of olivine- and plagioclase-rich rocks have been identified located around large impact basins, including the Moscoviense, Crisium, Imbrium, and Schrödinger basins [1]. At these sites, purest anorthosite (PAN) rocks [2,3], which consist of more than 98% plagioclase, occur adjacent to olivine-rich rocks. The PAN rocks are thought to be remnants of the primitive crust formed during the cooling process of magma oceans in the early stages of lunar formation, and the olivine-rich rocks could have been excavated from the lunar mantle during the formation of impact basins. Thus, understanding how co-existing sites of olivine- and plagioclase-rich rocks are formed will lead to a better understanding of the structure, composition, and evolution of the lunar mantle and crust. Therefore, for future sample return missions, it is expected that the co-existing sites of olivine- and plagioclase-rich rocks would be a “one-stop” site that provides important information for the overall characterization of lunar mantle and crustal materials. According to [1], the geology of the co-existing occurrences can be divided into three geological types: (1) co-existing occurrences associated with impact craters, (2) cliffs or steep slopes of the peak rings and rims of impact basins, and (3) the central peaks of the large complex craters. However, it is also important to consider the accessibility of each geological type as potential sites for future sample returns and in-situ measurements. In this presentation, we will discuss the accessibility of these coexisting sites based on the results of stratigraphic analysis using the Multiband Imager data and the Digital Elevation Model from the Terrain Camera onboard Kaguya/SELENE.



[1] Yamamoto et al. (2022), Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 127, e2021JE007077, doi 10.1029/2021JE007077

[2] Ohtake et al. (2009), Nature, 461, 236, doi: 10.1038/nature08317

[3] Yamamoto et al. (2012) Geophysical Research Letters, 39, doi: 0.1029/2012GL052098.