October 12, 2012 6:30 AM
A. NATURAL WONDER
The Compton-Belkovich volcanic region is isolated from the majority of lunar hotspots, which are on the near side. It is forcing scientists to rethink lunar volcanism. The moon has a molten core but, oddly, no active volcanoes. Using X-ray analyses of melted moon rocks, researchers found that some of the magma is too dense to spew from the surface.
B. MASS TRANSIT
The moon used to spin faster, but Earth's gravity slowed its rotation. Since the moon's mass is not evenly distributed, it was destined to stop with one side constantly facing Earth, according to a new study.
C. HISTORIC ARTIFACT
Swaths of the surface?including an area near the south pole?are highly magnetized. New research suggests that the anomaly is a relic from a skidding asteroid that left behind iron-rich rock.
D. WHAT TO WEAR
The Shackleton crater at the lunar south pole hasn't seen sunlight in 2 billion years. Keller says craters can reach temperatures below minus 400 F. "Those are really the coldest temperatures that have been measured in the solar system," he says. "Water and other volatiles could potentially be held there for hundreds of millions of years."
E. OUTDOOR RECREATION
The highest point on the moon is 35,000 feet. That's 6000 feet taller than Mt. Everest. But the slopes are gentler than Everest's, making for an easier hike.
HISTORIC LANDMARKS
NASA's LRO has collected detailed images of the Apollo landing sites. "The Apollo astronauts brought back samples, and these images help us to pinpoint exactly where those samples came from," Keller says. Apollo-era moon rocks are still producing science. Many scientists believe that the moon was created after Earth collided with a Mars-size object. But this year, a chemical analysis showed that Earth is the moon's sole parent. Exactly how our planet "gave birth" to the moon is still a mystery.
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