Hawai'i Space Grant College, Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, 1996

The Lunar Disk
Purpose

To carefully look at, describe, and learn about the origins of the six lunar samples contained in the disk.

Key Words

anorthosite

mare basalt

orange "soil"

breccia

mare "soil"

highland "soil"

Materials

Lunar Disk

magnifying lens or
stereo microscope

"Lunar Disk Sample Chart"

"My Own Rock Chart"

"Moon ABCs Fact Sheet"

 Procedure
1.
Look at each lunar sample with and without a magnifying lens or stereo microscope. What details can you see under magnification?

2.
Describe what you see by filling out a "Lunar Disk Sample Chart." Use as many adjectives or descriptive phrases as you can.

3.
Do the Moon rocks look like what you expected?



4.
Which lunar samples closely resemble rocks from your collection?



5.
Based on your comparisons of Earth and Moon rocks, what can you now say about the origins of the lunar samples contained in the disk? Add this information to your chart.

6.
Which rock types on Earth are not found in the lunar samples? Why?




Caution: The only way to handle the Lunar Sample Disk is with care. Always place it on the soft cloth to prevent scratchs to the surface. The disk must always be in the teacher's sight. Care for and enjoy this national treasure.

Go to The Lunar Disk Sample Chart.
Go to The Lunar Disk Teacher pages.
Return to The Moon Activity Index.
Return to Hands-On Activities home page.
http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_acts/