TABLE 3.1 Primary Science Goals of Lunar Science Concepts and Links to Overarching Themes
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Overarching Themes
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Science Concepts
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Science Goals
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Early Earth-Moon System
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Terrestrial Planet Differentiation and Evolution
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Solar System Impact Record
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Lunar Environment
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Implications for Life
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1. The bombardment history of the inner solar system is uniquely revealed on the Moon.
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1a. Test the cataclysm hypothesis by determining the spacing in time of the creation of lunar basins.
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X
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X
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X
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1b. Anchor the early Earth-Moon impact flux curve by determining the age of the oldest lunar basin (South Pole-Aitken Basin).
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X
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X
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X
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X
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1c. Establish a precise absolute chronology.
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X
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X
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X
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X
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1d. Assess the recent impact flux.
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X
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X
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X
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1e. Study the role of secondary impact craters on crater counts.
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X
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2. The structure and composition of the lunar interior provide fundamental information on the evolution of a differentiated planetary body.
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2a. Determine the thickness of the lunar crust (upper and lower) and characterize its lateral variability on regional and global scales.
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X
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X
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2b. Characterize the chemical/physical stratification in the mantle, particularly the nature of the putative 500-km discontinuity and the composition of the lower mantle.
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X
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2c. Determine the size, composition, and state (solid/liquid) of the core of the Moon.
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X
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X
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2d. Characterize the thermal state of the interior and elucidate the workings of the planetary heat engine.
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X
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X
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3. Key planetary processes are manifested in the diversity of lunar crustal rocks.
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3a. Determine the extent and composition of the primary feldspathic crust, KREEP layer, and other products of planetary differentiation.
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X
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3b. Inventory the variety, age, distribution, and origin of lunar rock types.
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X
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X
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X
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3c. Determine the composition of the lower crust and bulk Moon.
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X
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X
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3d. Quantify the local and regional complexity of the current lunar crust.
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X
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X
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3e. Determine the vertical extent and structure of the megaregolith.
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X
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X
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X
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4. The lunar poles are special environments that may bear witness to the volatile flux over the latter part of solar system history.
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4a. Determine the compositional state (elemental, isotopic, mineralogic) and compositional distribution (lateral and depth) of the volatile component in lunar polar regions.
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X
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X
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4b. Determine the source(s) for lunar polar volatiles.
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X
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X
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4c. Understand the transport, retention, alteration, and loss processes that operate on volatile materials at permanently shaded lunar regions.
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X
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4d. Understand the physical properties of the extremely cold (and possibly volatile rich) polar regolith.
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X
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4e. Determine what the cold polar regolith reveals about the ancient solar environment.
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X
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