Moon Science: Tycho Crater | NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (2009-2026)
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An in-depth look at the ~85 km diameter Tycho crater and its impact on our understanding of lunar geology. Tycho is a prominent lunar impact crater located in the southern lunar highlands of the Moon's near side, named after the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546–1601). It is estimated to be 108 million years old. It is one of the Moon's brightest craters with a depth of 4,700 m (15,400 ft).
Tycho's features are so steep and sharp because the crater is young by lunar standards. Over time, micrometeorites, and not so micro meteorites, will grind and erode these steep slopes into smooth mountains.
These images were captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft (2009-2026).
LRO has made a 3-D map of the Moon's surface at 100-meter resolution and 98.2% coverage (excluding polar areas in deep shadow), including 0.5-meter resolution images of Apollo landing sites.
LRO has been studying the Moon from up close since 2009, making it the longest-lived lunar orbiting mission ever. The orbiter has mapped the Moon’s surface and measured its temperature, composition, and radiation environment in unprecedented detail. Data from LRO enables NASA, and our international and commercial partners, to select locations on the lunar surface where spacecraft and astronauts can safely land. The orbiter is also helping NASA identify areas near the Moon’s South Pole with crucial resources like water and extended sunlight that provides power for equipment and supports exploration activities.
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lro/
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