On the formation of the lunar mascons

Abstract

A new mascon hypothesis is proposed which accounts for: (1) the existence of lunar mascons for more than 3 b.y., (2) the evidence for extensive volcanic activity from 3.7 to 3.2 b.y. ago, (3) the existence of negative gravity anomaly rings, (4) insufficient mare material in Mare Orientale, and (5) the lack of mascons associated with craters smaller than 200 km diameter. Moreover, it provides a simple mechanism for mass transfer into the basins. The hypothesis is based on the perturbations introduced into a spherically symmetric thermal evolution model of the moon by a giant impact.