Moon Rocks in a Sample Box

A rover on the Moon picks up a rock and places it in a container. Rocks collected from different places help scientists improve models of how the Moon formed.

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In the picture

A rock held by the rover’s gripper: a lunar sample collected from the surface.
An open sample container on the rover: the place where the rock is stored.
A crater rim beside the rover: one collection site on the Moon.
A distant rocky patch with a small crater: a different site on the Moon’s surface.

Examples

Collecting stones from several beaches to learn how an island formed.
Taking soil samples from different parts of a garden to compare them.

Key takeaways

Moon rocks from different sites carry different clues about the Moon’s history.
Comparing samples from many locations helps scientists refine models of the Moon’s formation.