Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera

Linné Crater

Linné crater (2.2 km diameter) is a beautifully preserved young mare crater. Small white arrows indicate layering preserved just below the rim; these rock outcrops probably represent discrete lava flow deposits [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

Since the Moon has no atmosphere, no wind, and no rain, features on the surface are preserved for millions of years. The exact age of Linné crater is not known, although it is thought to be less than ten million years old. The new LROC images show a richness of detail that confirm this young age. The small black arrows on the rim point out small delicate fractures (lower left of opening image) that formed as the crater walls slumped inward. Also note the frozen impact melt flows amongst the boulders strewn along the steep inner wall (large white arrow).

The new views provided by LROC show us that each crater has its own story to tell - no two are the same. Linné crater formed in a thick deposit of mare basalt. Typically young craters in mare have large numbers of boulders strewn around their outside flanks.

Reduced resolution (3 meter pixel scale) mosaic of Linne crater. White box shows location of full resolution opening image [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].

As you explore the full resolution NAC mosaic look for boulders outside the crater -- they are few and far between. Perhaps the local basalts were deposited as very thin layers, so there are no thick solid materials from which to produce boulders? We can see layering in the crater walls, so this hypothesis is certainly plausible. Examine the ejecta field: what causes the dune-like structures? Did the impact ejecta travel low across the surface? Did pre-existing obstacles somehow aid in "dune" formation? At a future opportunity the LROC team plans on acquiring a stereo observation of this fascinating crater to allow detailed topographic analysis of these landforms so scientists can get to the root of these questions.

Perhaps future explorers will use the LROC images and topographic maps to plot out geologic traverses! Examine Linné crater and plan out what you think would be the best spots to visit. Could an astronaut safely travel down into the crater? If so, what would you look for on the walls and on the floor?


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