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False-Color Lunar Image
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False-Color Lunar Image
This false-color photograph is a composite of 15 images of the Moon taken through three color filters by the Galileo spacecrafts solid-state imaging system during the spacecrafts passage through the Earth-Moon system on December 8, 1992. When this view was obtained, the spacecraft was 425, 000 kilometers (262, 000 miles) from the Moon and 69, 000 kilometers (43, 000 miles) from Earth. The false-color processing used to create this lunar image is helpful for interpreting the surface soil composition. Areas appearing red generally correspond to the lunar highlands, while blue to orange shades indicate the ancient volcanic lava flow of a mare, or lunar sea. Bluer mare areas contain more titanium than do the orange regions. Mare Tranquillitatis, seen as a deep blue patch on the right, is richer in titanium than mare Serenitatis, a slightly smaller circular area immediately adjacent to the upper left o Mare Tranquillitatis. Blue and orange areas covering much of the left side of the Moon in this view represent many separate lava flows in Oceanus Procellarum. The small purple areas found near the center are pyroclastic deposits formed by explosive volcanic eruptions. The fresh crater Tycho, with a diameter of 85 kilometers (53 miles), is prominent at the bottom of the photograph, where part of the moon disk is missing
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Media ID 635286
© NASA
Moon Galileo Mare Mare Serenitatis Oceanus Tycho
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This false-color lunar image, captured by the Galileo spacecraft's solid-state imaging system on December 8,1992, offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the Moon's surface. Composed of 15 images taken through three color filters, this composite print showcases the Earth-Moon system from a distance of 425,000 kilometers (262,000 miles) from our celestial neighbor and 69,000 kilometers (43,000 miles) from Earth. The false-color processing employed in creating this image serves as an invaluable tool for deciphering the composition of the lunar soil. The vibrant red hues predominantly represent the lunar highlands while shades ranging from blue to orange indicate ancient volcanic lava flows known as mare or lunar seas. Interestingly, bluer mare regions contain higher concentrations of titanium compared to their orange counterparts. In this striking view of our moon's landscape, Mare Tranquillitatis emerges as a deep blue patch on the right side with greater titanium richness than its slightly smaller neighbor Mare Serenitatis located towards the upper left. On the left side of this image lies Oceanus Procellarum adorned with various blue and orange areas representing distinct lava flows. Notably scattered across the center are small purple patches that denote pyroclastic deposits formed by explosive volcanic eruptions. Atop these breathtaking features stands Tycho crater—a prominent highlight at the bottom of this photograph—boasting an impressive diameter measuring approximately 85 kilometers (53 miles). As we delve deeper into understanding celestial bodies like our Moon through such remarkable imagery and scientific analysis, we unravel more mysteries about our place in space and gain insights into planetary formations beyond our own planet Earth.
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