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Lithologies and Chronologic Opportunities of Materials to be Returned from the Artemis Exploration Zone
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  • Ruby V Patterson,
  • Thomas John Lapen,
  • David A Kring,
  • Myriam Lemelin,
  • McKayla L Meier
Ruby V Patterson
University of Houston

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Thomas John Lapen
University of Houston
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David A Kring
Lunar and Planetary Institute
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Myriam Lemelin
Université de Sherbrooke
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McKayla L Meier
University of Idaho
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Abstract

The Artemis exploration zone is a geologically-complex region likely hosting some of the oldest and as-yet-unstudied materials on the Moon. We review six potential Artemis landing sites (001, 004, 007, 011, 102, and 105) within candidate Artemis III landing regions ‘Connecting Ridge,’ ‘Peak Near Shackleton,’ ‘Leibnitz Beta Plateau,’ ‘de Gerlache Rim,’ and ‘de Gerlache Rim 2.’ Kaguya Spectral Profiler mineral data were used to determine average lithological composition at each landing site. Potentially accessible geologic materials, their ages and significance, and appropriate application of radiometric chronometers are discussed in reference to return samples from each potential landing site. Chronologic analyses of return samples from the Artemis exploration zone will enable the anchoring of the lunar impact flux curve, determine the absolute timing of pivotal events in lunar geologic history, and reveal geological diversity of the differentiated lunar body.
04 Jan 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
16 Jan 2024Published in ESS Open Archive