Fact sheet
77535 is a coarse-grained plagioclase-poikilitic ilmenite basalt similar to 71565, 71567, 71509 and 77536. Plagioclase plates are intergrown with pyroxene (figures 6 and 7). Large pyroxene grains are sector-zoned and enclose ilmenite and resorbed olivine. Minor minerals include cristobalite (rotation 1), zirconolite, tranquillityite, armalcolite and baddeleyite.
The sample weighed 578 grams before analysis and has not been successfully dated.
Further details of this and other Apollo samples are here: http://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/
Apollo 17, the final manned landing mission, had two objectives: to obtain samples of ancient rocks from the lunar highlands and to look for evidence of younger volcanic activity on the valley floor.
This small Collection contains material deriving from both periods, including igneous rocks around 4.3 billion years old from the lunar highlands as well as younger volcanic samples dating from about 3.6 billion years ago.
Apollo 17 was launched on 7 December 1972.