Colours of the Moon

[kracken]

The Colors of the Moon




About This Photograph


Is the moon really this colorful? In a way, yes. The lunar surface actually does have quite a bit of color, although in reality it is very subtle. In this photograph, the color saturation has been enhanced to bring out the differences in the colors of the various areas of the surface. The hues are correct, just much more vivid than we usually see them.
Aside from making an interesting aesthetic presentation, the colors also give clues as to the mineralogy of the moon's surface. Also, at the sites of many impact craters we can see that deeper material exposed (and in some cases scattered) by the impact is of a different composition than the material on the surface.

Technical Details

Optics:20" f/8 RCOS Ritchey-Chrétien Cassegrain w/ Field Corrector.
Mount:Software Bisque Paramount ME.
Camera:SBIG STL-11000XM.
Filters:SBIG Standard RGB.
Dates/Times:18 April 2005.
Location:Dimension Point Observatory, Mayhill, New Mexico.
Exposure Details:LRGB = 2:4:2:4 milliseconds, two-frame mosaic.

[B B Leo]

class colours just like looking at mother earth

[$kint]

with the proximity of earth to the moon how come we have so few impact craters in comparison? is it just that thay happened so long a go that the earth's nature now hides them?

[evilsatan]

It looks like the moon is reflecting the earth in parts, superb picture, cheers.

[gatch.]

quality pic! makes you think as gurucurt said, why so many craters on the moon and so few on earth, possibly ours are hidden by the amount of water on our surface???

[pete252]

with the proximity of earth to the moon how come we have so few impact craters in comparison? is it just that thay happened so long a go that the earth's nature now hides them?

My understanding is that most of the Meteorites 'burn up' in the Earth's atmosphere before hitting the ground, 'shooting stars' are meteorites doing this. The moon has no atmosphere therefore no 'air friction' and hence they hit the surface. Big objects however do not have time to burn out and there is evidence of a number of impact craters on the Earth, some believe that this is the cause of 'Ice Ages' and the reason that the dinosaurs became extinct.

[gatch.]

Ah, never thought about it extensively but that makes sense (and is obvious) stupid me! LOL

[kracken]

quality pic! makes you think as gurucurt said, why so many craters on the moon and so few on earth, possibly ours are hidden by the amount of water on our surface???

Throughout the history of the solar system, Earth was bombarded even more than the Moon. But Earth is so geologically active that earthquakes, volcanoes, and plain old weather are continually crushing, melting, and reshaping its crust. In short, Earth is continually destroying evidence of its past, including evidence of ancient impact craters. Almost all the terrestrial craters that have been identified—only some 170 at last count—have been so eroded that essential clues have been erased.

[mug]

Also the Moons lack of an atmosphere or very minor atmosphere allows asteroids to pass through unscathed to pummel the surface. As the Earth has a considerable atmosphere the asteroids more often than not disintegrate on entry in the upper levels of the atmosphere.

I think earlier in Earths history the atmosphere was alot weaker and objects were able to pass through. If any big asteroids are heading our way where f*cked

[dpSparhawk]

Crater in Arizona




and another one. Not sure if it's the same one

[rIKmAN]

Is the Grand Canyon not meant to be an impact crater?

Great pic too, imagine the odds of earth not being hit by a big un for soooo long!

[kracken]

If any big asteroids are heading our way where f*cked

You mean like this (I wouldnt want to of been around when this hit) ....

Barringer Crater, Arizona, US



It measures 0.75 miles (1.2 km) across, is 575 ft (175 m) deep and has a rim 148 ft (45 m) higher than the surrounding plain. Discovered in 1902, the Barringer Crater was named after Daniel Barringer, a successful mining engineer. Today it is still owned by his family and is also known as Meteor Crater, Coon Butte, and Canyon Diablo.

There is a database of impact craters, woth a read if you are interested ...

Remember the Barringer Crater is only 1.2 km across ......

http://www.unb.ca/passc/ImpactDataba...meterSort2.htm

Vredefort in South Africa is 300 km across

[mug]

You mean like this (I wouldnt want to of been around when this hit) ....



There is a database of impact craters, woth a read if you are interested ...

Remember the Barringer Crater is only 1.2 km across ......

http://www.unb.ca/passc/ImpactDataba...meterSort2.htm

Vredefort in South Africa is 300 km across

The asteroid was supposed be around 10km in diameter. Imagine seeing that f*cker coming down from the heavens and knowing your doomed as the surrounding area starts to go pitch black because the asteroid is blotting out the sun. Sobering thought