Internet Encyclopedia of Science
MOON TOPICS
GEOLOGY & PLANETARY SCIENCE
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

                   • HOME
• ABOUT
• CATEGORIES
• USE OF TEXT AND IMAGES
• NEWSLETTER

  



mascon


mascon under Mare Serenitatis
Topography (top) and surface gravity (bottom) for Mare Serenitatis. The gravity shows a plateau and thus a substantial near-surface contribution to the mascon. Also apparent is the smaller mascon Mare Vaporum in the lower left and center part of the figure. Data from Lunar Prospector
A region on the surface of the Moon where the gravitational pull is slightly higher than normal due to the presence of dense rock. "Mascon" is short for "mass concentration." Mascons were first detected by spacecraft orbiting the Moon and are associated with basalt-filled impact basins such as Mare Imbrium.


Related categories

   • MOON TOPICS
   • GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE


Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History


BACK TO TOP