When did the Taurus-Littrow valley form?
The Taurus, Littrow valley formed between 3.8 and 3.9 billion years ago when a massive object struck the Moon.
Questions about Taurus–Littrow
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who landed at Taurus-Littrow during the Apollo program?
Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt landed at Taurus, Littrow to explore these specific geological features as part of the final crewed landing site for the Apollo program in December 1972.
What is Troctolite 76535 from Taurus-Littrow?
Troctolite 76535 is a 4.25 billion-year-old coarse-grained rock composed primarily of olivine and plagioclase retrieved by astronauts from the valley floor.
How deep is the Taurus-Littrow valley compared to other valleys?
The height of the surrounding cliffs gives the Taurus, Littrow valley a depth greater than the Grand Canyon in the United States.
Why was Taurus-Littrow chosen over Tycho crater for Apollo 17?
Planners selected Taurus, Littrow because Tycho crater had rough terrain exceeding safety constraints while Tsiolkovskiy crater required expensive satellites for communication on the far side.