Lunar Geology
On January 9th of 2001, the MTI imaged the moon during a lunar eclipse. In theory, analysis of the images collected would allow scientists to determine the relative age of geological features on the surface of the moon. Without the heat of the sun, the lunar landscape begins to cool. Different geological features will cool at different rates; rocks, dust, and impact melts each have a different thermal inertia. Fine particles will cool quickly while impact melts will retain heat longer. Given this, it is possible to estimate the age of various geological features on the surface of the moon with the eclipse images from the MTI. Over time the rock melts from crater impacts will break down, and will cool more rapidly. Therefore younger landforms retain more heat during the eclipse.