78575 (6) Ilmenite Basalt
Collection:
Apollo 17
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MicroscopeFact sheet
78575 (6) Ilmenite Basalt
78575 is a relatively coarse-grained basalt with long tabular plagioclase crystals separating clusters of ilmenite and pyroxene crystals. Pyroxene has developed complex zoning patterns. Ilmenite forms in chains. Armalcolite, tranquillityite and zirconolite are also reported. A small cristobalite crystal is visible in rotation 2. The sample weighed 140 grams before analysis and has not been dated. Further details of this and other Apollo samples are here: http://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/ |
About this collection
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.