Mariner 10 multispectral images of the eastern limb and farside of the Moon

Presents an analysis of Mariner 10 multispectral image data for the eastern limb and farside of the Moon. A color ratio image (0.48/0.58 μm) is produced to show relative TiO₂ abundances in mare units on the eastern limb and farside of the Moon. The results indicate that the farside lunar mare deposits examined have TiO₂ contents that are intermediate to low (2-5% TiO₂) relative to mare deposits on the nearside. No evidence is found for areally extensive deposits of either very low titanium (VLT) or high to very high titanium (VHT) basalts in these portions of the Moon. The findings support previous interpretations that the source regions for lunar mare basalts are laterally heterogeneous. -from Authors