                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                              2022 December 14

                          Lunar Dust and Duct Tape
                        Image Credit: Apollo 17, NASA

   Explanation: Why is the Moon so dusty? On Earth, rocks are weathered by
   wind and water, creating soil and sand. On the Moon, the history of
   constant micrometeorite bombardment has blasted away at the rocky
   surface creating a layer of powdery lunar soil or regolith. For the
   Apollo astronauts and their equipment, the pervasive, fine, gritty dust
   was definitely a problem
   . Fifty years ago, on the lunar surface in December 1972, Apollo 17
   astronauts Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan needed to repair one of
   their rover's fenders in an effort to keep the rooster tails of dust
   away from themselves and their gear. This picture reveals the wheel and
   fender of their dust covered rover along with the ingenious application
   of spare maps, clamps, and a grey strip of "duct tape".

                  Tomorrow's picture: Full Moon, Full Mars
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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