Lunar & Meteorite Sample Disk Program (K-12)

Resources & Activities: Lunar Sample Disk Information & Search

Lunar Sample Disk

This program consists of six samples of lunar material (three soils and three rocks) encapsulated in a six-inch diameter clear Lucite disk.

The Lunar Sample Disk is accompanied by one anorthosite earth rock, one basalt earth rock and one vile of lunar regolith simulant (please do not open). Additionally, you will receive a Lunar Rock Classification Activity lendable set of materials (with instructions). All contents are to be returned with the samples at the end of the loan period.

Lunar Disk Information Search

To view the sample photos and descriptions for a specific disk set, select the disk number from the following list:

Lunar Sample Disks include the following types of material:

  • Basalt: Solidified lava found in the dark lowland mare or "seas"
  • Breccia: Rocks made of fragments of other rocks that were broken and welded during collisions between the Moon and meteorites
  • Highland Soil: Fragments composing this soil are from the breakup of highlands rocks by meteorites
  • Anorthosite: White rock consisting of feldspar crystals - predominate rock of the lunar highlands
  • Mare Soil: Most of these grains were produced by meteorites hitting lunar basalt
  • Orange Soil: Volcanic ash from a lunar eruption 3.5 billion years ago