Fact sheet
70035 is a vesicular, medium–grained, hypidiomorphic, granular high-Ti basalt with large anhedral clinopyoxene enclosing armalcolite, ilmenite, ulvöspinel and chrome spinel. The ilmenite content approaches 20%. Interstitial plagioclase encloses ilmenite and olivine. The groundmass includes cristobalite, K-feldspar, tranquillityite, ilmenite, ulvöspinel, troilite and pale brown granitic glass.
Our thin section is a scatter grain sample consisting of mainly pyroxene, plagioclase feldspar and ilmenite.
The sample weighed 5765 grams before analysis and is 3.82±0.06 billion years old (Rb/Sr).
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.