Astronomy 161 - Introduction To Solar System Astronomy - Autumn 2007

What physical processes have shaped the Moon? In this lecture, I describe the surface features of the Moon (the Maria and Highlands), how crater density tells us the relative ages of terrains, and what we have learned about Moon rocks returned by astronauts and robotic probes. I will also discuss what is known about the interior of the Moon, and review what we know about lunar history and formation. Like the Earth, the Moon gives us a useful point of comparison with bodies elsewhere in the Solar System. Recorded 2007 Nov 1 in 1000 McPherson Lab on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.