Lunar meteorites

Different sampling from Apollo

Meteorites can sample random, widely scattered regions of the Moon. An individual specimen usually cannot be assigned securely to one crater.

How lunar rock is recognised

Identification uses mineral chemistry, trace elements, oxygen isotopes, noble gases and comparison with Apollo and Luna mission samples. Lunar origin becomes secure only when multiple measurements agree.

Lunar meteorites may be pale highland breccias, darker mare basalts or mixed breccias. Many were broken, welded and ejected by repeated impacts, so their texture is often more complex than one original lava flow.

Ejection, journey and random sampling

A large impact accelerates lunar rock beyond escape velocity. Fragments may reach Earth directly or after time in orbit, while cosmic-ray exposure records parts of that journey.

Unlike mission samples, lunar meteorites come from random locations across the Moon. A specific crater usually cannot be identified, but this broad sampling extends knowledge beyond the limited crewed landing sites.