| Abstrakt: |
The Artemis exploration zone is a geologically complex region likely to host 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 the 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. Chronological 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 the geological diversity of the differentiated lunar body. Plain Language Summary: Artemis astronauts will bring new samples from the Moon back to Earth. We discuss the geology of some landing sites that astronauts might visit, what types of rocks they may encounter, and how to examine them using geochronology. The application of geochronology to Moon rocks is essential to determine the absolute timing of major events in lunar and early Solar System history. Key Points: The Artemis lunar missions will explore a feldspathic impact terrain and return samples from unexplored terrainLikely lithologies, ages, and chronometers are discussed for six potential landing sitesArtemis return samples from the Moon will be unique from Apollo samples and have the possibility of determining absolute ages of significant events in lunar history [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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