Boulder Tracks: Race to the Bottom of Chaplygin Crater!

Boulder tracks on the flank of Chaplygin crater
Boulders ejected from Chaplygin B crater rolled down the wall of the much larger Chaplygin crater (4.1ºS, 151.7ºE) leaving these spectacular tracks. Image 980 meters wide, north is up [NASA/GFSC/Arizona State University].

Chaplygin B  (1.5 km diamter) formed adjacent to the rim and just outside the much larger Chaplygin crater (123 km diameter). The rays to the southwest were deposited on the steep wall of the larger crater. Investigate the whole of Chaplygin B in the striking NAC controlled mosaic of below.

 

Full view of Chaplygin B crater
Full view of Chaplygin B crater (1.5 km diameter) NAC controlled mosaic containing images M1196774895L/R, M1196788959L/R, M1196781927L/R, and M1196795992L/R [NASA/GFSC/Arizona State University]​​​

Boulders on the Moon are primarily driven by mass wasting events and gravity. Determining the length and depth and width of each segment  of boulder tracks allows scientists to determine geotechnical properties of the regolith (soil). 

 

Previous LROC featured image posts refer to this crater as “Chappy” as it did not have a name approved by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) until 2017! Take a look at an oblique view of the young Chappy.

Zoom in and see if you can find the boulder tracks shown in the opening image in the full mosaic of Chaplygin B.

NAC controlled mosaic containing images M1196774895L/R, M1196788959L/R, M1196781927L/R, and M1196795992L/R [NASA/GFSC/Arizona State University]

 

Learn more about lunar boulder tracks.

Northeastward!

Bouncing, Bounding Boulders!

Almost a Hole-in-One

 

Take a look at how featured controlled mosaics are put together: 

Feature Mosaics: Behind the Seams

 

Do you want to download this image for yourself?

Northeast Chaplygin Crater Rim high-Sun controlled NAC mosaic (A)

Published by Sean Burnette on 15 July 2021