Descartes Highlands, The Mooni
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Descartes Highlands | Highlands |
| The Moon | Moon |
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Latitude & Longitude:
8° 58' 22'' South , 15° 30' 0'' East (est.)
Estimate based on other nearby localities or region boundaries.
Margin of Error:
~0km
Locality type:
The Descartes Highlands is an area of lunar highlands located on the near side that served as the landing site of the American Apollo 16 mission in early 1972. The Descartes Highlands is located in the area surrounding Descartes crater, after which the feature received its name.
Two major formations dominate the Descartes Highlands area: the Cayley plains and the Descartes formation. The latter is composed primarily of highland plateau material, perhaps debris from large impact eventsβspecifically the impact that formed Mare Nectaris. North Ray and South Ray craters, the former sampled directly by the Apollo 16 crew, revealed a layering sequence, possibly an overlap of the Cayley and Descartes formations.
The area of the Descartes Highlands is characterized by an undulating landscape covered with old and some new, sharp rimmed craters. Based upon findings during the Apollo 16 mission, some of the floors of these craters were covered with glass similar to that found at the Taurus-Littrow landing site on Apollo 17. According to Apollo 16 commander John Young, the arrangement of the glass gave it the appearance of dried mud.
Before Apollo 16 sampled the Descartes Highlands, it was believed that volcanic material would be abundant in the area after visual analysis of the features there. It was thought that the formations in the area were formed by lavas more viscous than the lavas that formed the Lunar mare. This was later disproved after the analysis of samples from the area. It was revealed that many of the rocks in the area are not volcanic in origin, but breccias composed of fragments from several lunar impacts. Astronauts Young and Duke visited Sudbury, Ontario Canada in July 1971 to examine shatter cones. Sudbury is a site of a large meteor impact exhibiting substantial evidence of shatter cone geology. In the Descartes Highlands, it was determined that the region's topography was formed by meteor impact instead of volcanic activity.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsMineral List
Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities16 valid minerals.
Detailed Mineral List:
| β Akaganeite Formula: (Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O Reference: http://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/lunar/letss/Mineralogy.pdf |
| β Anorthite Formula: Ca(Al2Si2O8) Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Armalcolite Formula: (Mg,Fe2+)Ti2O5 Reference: J. W. Anthony et al.: Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 3 (1997), 22; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Augite Formula: (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Cristobalite Formula: SiO2 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032. |
| β Farringtonite Formula: Mg3(PO4)2 Reference: Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Forsterite Formula: Mg2SiO4 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β 'Hypersthene' Formula: (Mg,Fe)SiO3 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032. |
| β Ilmenite Formula: Fe2+TiO3 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β 'K Feldspar' Formula: KAlSi3O8 Reference: Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Pigeonite Formula: (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Rutile Formula: TiO2 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Schreibersite Formula: (Fe,Ni)3P Reference: Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Spinel Formula: MgAl2O4 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Taenite Formula: (Fe,Ni) Reference: Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Troilite Formula: FeS Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β UlvΓΆspinel Formula: TiFe2O4 Reference: Walker, D., J. Longhi, T.L. Grove, E.M. Stolper, and J.F. Hays (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proc. Fourth Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta Suppl. 4, p. 1013-1032.; Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
| β Whitlockite Formula: Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) Reference: Dowty, E., Keil, K., & Prinz, M. (1974) Igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples. In: Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 2. (A75-39540 19-91) New York, Pergamon Press, Inc., 1974, p. 431-445. |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 1 - Elements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| β | Schreibersite | 1.BD.05 | (Fe,Ni)3P |
| β | Taenite | 1.AE.10 | (Fe,Ni) |
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
| β | Troilite | 2.CC.10 | FeS |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| β | Akaganeite | 4.DK.05 | (Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 Β· nH2O |
| β | Armalcolite | 4.CB.15 | (Mg,Fe2+)Ti2O5 |
| β | Cristobalite | 4.DA.15 | SiO2 |
| β | Ilmenite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2+TiO3 |
| β | Rutile | 4.DB.05 | TiO2 |
| β | Spinel | 4.BB.05 | MgAl2O4 |
| β | UlvΓΆspinel | 4.BB.05 | TiFe2O4 |
| Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates | |||
| β | Farringtonite | 8.AB.05 | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| β | Whitlockite | 8.AC.45 | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| Group 9 - Silicates | |||
| β | Anorthite | 9.FA.35 | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| β | Augite | 9.DA.15 | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| β | Forsterite | 9.AC.05 | Mg2SiO4 |
| β | Pigeonite | 9.DA.10 | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc. | |||
| β | 'Hypersthene' | - | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| β | 'K Feldspar' | - | KAlSi3O8 |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | β Akaganeite | (Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O |
| H | β Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | β Armalcolite | (Mg,Fe2+)Ti2O5 |
| O | β Akaganeite | (Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O |
| O | β Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| O | β Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 |
| O | β Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| O | β UlvΓΆspinel | TiFe2O4 |
| O | β Rutile | TiO2 |
| O | β Cristobalite | SiO2 |
| O | β Spinel | MgAl2O4 |
| O | β Anorthite | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| O | β Hypersthene | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| O | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| O | β Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| O | β K Feldspar | KAlSi3O8 |
| O | β Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| Mg | Magnesium | |
| Mg | β Armalcolite | (Mg,Fe2+)Ti2O5 |
| Mg | β Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Mg | β Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 |
| Mg | β Spinel | MgAl2O4 |
| Mg | β Hypersthene | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| Mg | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Mg | β Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| Mg | β Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | β Spinel | MgAl2O4 |
| Al | β Anorthite | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| Al | β K Feldspar | KAlSi3O8 |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | β Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Si | β Forsterite | Mg2SiO4 |
| Si | β Cristobalite | SiO2 |
| Si | β Anorthite | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| Si | β Hypersthene | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| Si | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Si | β K Feldspar | KAlSi3O8 |
| P | Phosphorus | |
| P | β Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| P | β Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| P | β Schreibersite | (Fe,Ni)3P |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | β Troilite | FeS |
| Cl | Chlorine | |
| Cl | β Akaganeite | (Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O |
| K | Potassium | |
| K | β K Feldspar | KAlSi3O8 |
| Ca | Calcium | |
| Ca | β Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Ca | β Anorthite | Ca(Al2Si2O8) |
| Ca | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Ca | β Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| Ti | Titanium | |
| Ti | β Armalcolite | (Mg,Fe2+)Ti2O5 |
| Ti | β Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| Ti | β UlvΓΆspinel | TiFe2O4 |
| Ti | β Rutile | TiO2 |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | β Armalcolite | (Mg,Fe2+)Ti2O5 |
| Fe | β Akaganeite | (Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O |
| Fe | β Pigeonite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Fe | β Troilite | FeS |
| Fe | β Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| Fe | β UlvΓΆspinel | TiFe2O4 |
| Fe | β Hypersthene | (Mg,Fe)SiO3 |
| Fe | β Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
| Fe | β Taenite | (Fe,Ni) |
| Fe | β Schreibersite | (Fe,Ni)3P |
| Ni | Nickel | |
| Ni | β Akaganeite | (Fe3+,Ni2+)8(OH,O)16Cl1.25 · nH2O |
| Ni | β Taenite | (Fe,Ni) |
| Ni | β Schreibersite | (Fe,Ni)3P |
References
Sort by
Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)Walker, D., Longhi, J., Grove, T.L., Stolper, E.M., Hays, J.F. (1973) Experimental petrology and origin of rocks from the Descartes Highlands. Proceedings of the Fourth Lunar Science Conference, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Supplement 4: 1013-1032.
Other Databases
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descartes_Highlands |
|---|---|
| Wikidata ID: | Q5263681 |
Localities in this Region
- Descartes Highlands
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Descartes Highlands, The Moon