Fact sheet
72738 is an impact melt breccia with a microsubophitic matrix (modally 87%) and abundant plagioclase feldspar clasts (see rotation 1). An anorthosite clast of polygonised plagioclase is shown in rotation 2. 72738 has the same chemical composition as other Apollo 17 impact melt breccias. Zircon, metallic iron and troilite are minor constituents of the sample.
The sample weighed 23.8 grams before analysis and has been dated at 3.94±0.04 billion years.
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.