Secrets of the Moon

Understanding and Analysing the Lunar Surface

Gilbert Fielder

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781032019857
• eBook ISBN: 9781000513844
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Probability & Statistics

Secrets of the Moon: Understanding and Analysing the Lunar Surface provides a unique account of the origin of key features on the lunar surface. Containing historical accounts and the latest observations from the field, in addition to exciting data from the Apollo manned missions, it describes the development of our current understanding of our Moon. It also explores the fracturing of the Moon, a topic not explored in other literature in the area, and contains a statistical treatment of the smaller craters of the Moon, as well as a geological treatment of the larger craters. This moderately technical account is designed to clarify and update the general thinking on the nature and origin of the most important lunar surface features for both undergraduate and research students. It may also be read by the professional scientist, especially the astronomer and the geologist who has found little time to study the Moon's topography, in addition to the lunar amateur astronomer and even the dedicated layman with a keen interest in lunar science. The book excludes nearly all mathematical symbols in order to remain accessible to those without a formal education in the area.

Key Features:

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• Authored by an expert in the area

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• Presents a comprehensive account of the lunar surface, from historical observations to the NASA Apollo manned missions and the latest observations and data in the field

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• Includes a statistical and geological treatment of the craters

Dr. Gilbert Fielder is Reader Emeritus at Lancaster University, United Kingdom. He performed extended teaching at Lancaster University on Planetary Science and introduced a new degree course on Remote Sensing. Prior to this, he was Principal Investigator in NASA's Heat Capacity Mapping Programme, while continuing to head the Lunar and Planetary Unit at Lancaster until retirement. Dr. Fielder has authored several books, and presented many BBC and ITA television news programmes, as well as popular programmes with Sir Patrick Moore (on the BBC's "The Sky at Night") and, on the occasion of the first landing of astronauts on the Moon, with David Frost as Chairman in a special programme.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Author Bio
• 1 Preparatory Studies
• 2 Studies at Manchester and the Pic du Midi
• 3 Wrinkle Ridges
• 4 The Straight Wall
• 5 Thoughts on Mare Imbrium
• 6 The Apparent Acceleration of the Moon
• 7 The Slowing Rotation of the Earth
• 8 The Receding Moon
• 9 Distorted Craters
• 10 The Lunar Grid System
• 11 Mapping the Grid around the Whole of the Moon
• 12 Faulting and the Rotation of the Moon
• 13 The Origin of the Lunar Grid System
• 14 Melting in the Moon
• 15 The Origin of the Moon
• 16 Fine Lineaments and Their Significance
• 17 The Ages of the Lunar Surface Features
• 18 The Origins of Small Craters
• 19 The Proportion of Endocraters to Impact Craters
• 20 The Origin of Crater-Chains in Grid Fractures
• 21 The Origins of Small Craters in a Lunar Lava Flow
• 22 Small Double Craters
• 23 Double Craters and the Depth and Compaction of the Regolith
• 24 Dating the Mare Flows
• 25 Studies of Large Craters
• 26 The Ray-Craters Tycho, Copernicus and Aristarchus
• 27 Unexpected Volcanic Flows in Tycho and Aristarchus
• 28 Volcanic Tumuli on the Floor of Tycho
• 29 The Unusual Rocks of Tycho, Copernicus and Aristarchus
• 30 Cracks in Tycho and Kilauea
• 31 Central Peaks and the Impact Process
• 32 The Crater Aristarchus
• 33 The Crater Copernicus
• 34 Dating the Lavas of Tycho and Aristarchus
• 35 The Origin of the Lavas in Impact Craters
• 36 Tensions in the Lunar Crust
• 37 Is There Any Current Volcanic Activity on the Moon?
• 38 Maria, Rilles and Wrinkle Ridges
• 39 Maria and Mascons
• 40 Ghost Craters and Elementary Rings
• 41 The Nature of the Lamont Complex
• 42 Terrestrial Ring Complexes and Their Origin
• 43 Are There Ring Dykes on the Moon?
• 44 The Origins of Large Lunar Craters in General
• 45 Return to the Moon
• References
• Glossary
• Index