The Colors of the Moon

[Spookie Monster]

Is the moon really this colorful?  In a way, yes.  The lunar surface actually does have quite a bit of color, although in reality it is very subtle.  In this photograph, the color saturation has been enhanced to bring out the differences in the colors of the various areas of the surface.  The hues are correct, just much more vivid than we usually see them.

Check out the picture here.  It's pretty cool.  In fact, I can recommend Russell Croman's whole site.

Enjoy!

Spel

[Caeli]

Oooh... that's awesome!
Spel, you always find the coolest stuff. :D

[The Overlord]

A lot of it has to do with contrast; the moon comes out looking to the eye like a mottled collection of light to medium grays, since we're seeing it against the near perfect blackness of space.

But during the Apollo missions ground control commented that astronauts with lunar dust on their suits looked like they've been playing in a coal bin. Likewise, the crews found areas of orange or rust hued soil up there. I don't recall the cause; certainly it's not actually iron rust because that would imply oxidation in a near-vacuum environment, but there is indeed color there.

[Vekseid]

A significant portion of the Moon's soil is titanium oxide (which is what's used to make marshmallows white). It's important to realize that the moon is quite capable of holding an atmosphere for a billion year or so to allow oxidation to occur.

[ShrowdedPoet]

Simply beautiful!  Thanks Spel!

[The Overlord]

It's important to realize that the moon is quite capable of holding an atmosphere for a billion year or so to allow oxidation to occur.

You have a source you're quoting on this? I've never seen anything on the topic to suggest the moon did or could have more than a bare trace atmosphere.

[Spookie Monster]

Spel, you always find the coolest stuff. :)

Spel, you always find the coolest stuff. :D

Whoa... déjà vu.  Am I back in the Matrix?

Seriously, Caeli, thanks for the generous words. :)  I'm glad that you enjoyed it!  And thank you, too, ShrowdedPoet; you're welcome indeed! :)

Spel