Back to Articles Image Of The Day

Apollo 17: The Last Humans on the Moon Found Orange Soil!

📖 4 min read 📊 beginner 🏷️ NASA APOD

In Brief

In December 1972, Apollo 17 astronauts explored the Moon's Taurus-Littrow valley. They discovered unique orange soil near Shorty Crater, which provided valuable clues about the Moon's volcanic past. These astronauts remain the last people to walk on the lunar surface.

Apollo 17: The Last Humans on the Moon Found Orange Soil!

The Full Story

Over fifty years ago, during the Apollo 17 mission, astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt spent about 75 hours exploring the Taurus-Littrow valley on the Moon while their colleague Ronald Evans orbited above. A photograph taken by Cernan captures Schmitt next to their lunar rover at the edge of Shorty Crater. This location holds a special significance: it's where Schmitt discovered peculiar orange lunar soil. This wasn't just any dirt; its vibrant hue hinted at a fascinating story. The orange soil turned out to be volcanic glass beads, formed billions of years ago during explosive volcanic eruptions on the Moon. These eruptions were driven by dissolved gases in lunar magma, similar to how carbon dioxide propels champagne out of a bottle. The rapid cooling of the ejected magma formed the glassy spheres. The Apollo 17 mission proved to be highly successful, bringing back a remarkable 110 kilograms of lunar rocks and soil samples – more than any other Apollo mission. These samples have provided invaluable insights into the Moon's composition, history, and formation. The discovery of the orange soil, in particular, revolutionized our understanding of lunar volcanism. Sadly, Cernan and Schmitt were the last humans to walk on the Moon. Their mission marked the end of the Apollo program, but their discoveries continue to fuel scientific research and inspire future lunar exploration. The samples they collected are still being studied today, with new analytical techniques constantly revealing new information.

Key Takeaways

  • 1 Apollo 17 was the last crewed mission to the Moon.
  • 2 Orange soil discovery revealed past volcanic activity.
  • 3 Returned the largest sample collection from any Apollo mission.
NASA Mission Patches Collection Set

NASA Mission Patches Collection Set

Collection of iconic NASA mission patches. Great for space enthusiasts and collectors.

$24.95
View on Amazon
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Price and availability may vary.

💡 Think of it this way:

Finding orange soil on the Moon is like finding a new color in a familiar painting - it changes how we understand the whole picture.

How We Know This

The astronauts physically collected samples of rocks and soil from the lunar surface using tools like scoops and tongs. They then carefully documented and stored the samples for return to Earth, where scientists could analyze them in laboratories.

What This Means

The data and samples collected during Apollo 17 continue to inform our understanding of the Moon's formation and evolution. This knowledge is crucial for planning future lunar missions and potentially establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

Why It Matters

This mission reminds us of a pivotal moment in human history and highlights the incredible discoveries made on the Moon, inspiring future generations to explore and learn about our solar system.

Related Topics

#Apollo 17 #Moon #Lunar Exploration #Orange Soil #Volcanism