This most recent book from lunar expert Charles J. Byrne combines the latest comprehensive
imagery topography and gravity data from all three recent Moon missions Kaguya Lunar
Reconnaissance Orbiter and GRAIL. These major polar-orbit surveys are presented here in compact
form for the convenience of amateur and practical astronomers concerned with the Moon. Chosen
from the Near and Far Side's large craters and basins over 200 km in diameter each of the 71
highlighted features is depicted with a two-page presentation of the data that includes false
color topographic maps next to the mission images. Additionally the features are presented in
the estimated chronological sequence of their creation based on a consideration of
stratigraphy (overlapping layers from neighboring features) and the relative degradation of
surface features. Using this sequence as a way to convey the relative ages of lunar features
the author presents various theories concerning the Moon's impact and thermal history e.g. the
available evidence allows for constraints to be placed on the duration of the Late Heavy
Bombardment period. The relationships between impact dynamics and variations in the gravity
field of the Moon are also discussed. The new mission data makes possible this renewed
conjecture about the history and evolution of the Moon which is presented here with much
worthwhile information for amateurs and professionals alike.
