The Planetary Group |
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Brown-Vernadsky Microsymposium 51
Sponsored by: Brown University, The Vernadsky Institute, Brown/MIT NLSI _________ Apollo and Luna exploration and sample return missions were targeted to specific areas of high scientific interest. Returned soils and rocks reflected both the local geology and interesting material of unknown provenance. Lunar meteorites provided additional samples from elsewhere on the Moon. From these data, models for the compositional structure and evolution of the lunar crust have been formulated and concepts such as the Lunar Magma Ocean have been articulated. Recent and ongoing lunar missions have provided fundamental new perspectives on the mineralogy, composition and structure of the lunar crust. High spatial and spectral resolution spectrometer data have shown the detailed location and setting of both typical and anomalous exposures of soils, tephra, rocks and bedrock. These new spectrometer data now permit the linking of specific lunar sample types to specific local and regional geological settings, deposits and environments. These new data now place the lunar sample collection in the context of the geology of the lunar crust. The spectroscopy of crater central peaks and basin rings can now be compared directly to returned samples and to models for the structure and evolution of the crust. The mineralogy of specific mare basalt units over the entire Moon can be compared to lunar soils and rock samples. Furthermore, these new global measurements are discovering unusual new rock types and rewriting our understanding of the role of volatiles on the Moon. Together, these new data are irrevocably changing our perspective on the next generation of important scientific topics and exploration destinations. The goal of Microsymposium 51 is to present a summary of these new discoveries, and to bring together representatives of the lunar spectroscopy, mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry and geophysics communities to ponder the implications of this new perspective for the next generation of significant scientific problems. A critical aspect of this discussion will be to assess the implications of this new perspective for future modes and destinations for robotic and human exploration of the Moon. The Microsymposium will emphasize open discussion format but will be anchored by several invited overviews, and some short contributed papers, commentaries and posters. We ask that responses requesting presentations or posters be made as soon as possible but no later than December 21, 2009 to James_Head@brown.edu. Those wishing to attend the conference can register any time, including up to the time of the conference, but advance notice helps us to plan refreshments and seating. Please forward this announcement to any interested students and colleagues. Co-Conveners: Carle Pieters, James Head, Alexander Basilevsky, Mike Wyatt, Harald Hiesinger _________
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