Science Visualized Planetary Science

This spinning moon shows where debris from giant impacts fell

Most of the light-colored plains on the lunar surface point back to two huge impact basins

moon map

LUNAR LOOK  A new moon map, compiled using data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, is the most detailed global look yet at the moon’s light-colored plains (shaded green).

H. Meyer, L. Davis and N. Estes/LROC SOC-ASU

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — A new map of flat, light-colored streaks and splotches on the moon links the features to a few large impacts that spread debris all over the surface.