Laurent G. J. Montési, Author at Eos

Cross-section of the Moon with interior structures labeled.

A Mystery About the Moon’s Deep Interior Endures

by Laurent G. J. Montési 25 July 202318 July 2023

Geophysical data has suggested that the base of the Moon’s mantle is partially molten or contains ilmenite, but an improved rheology model puts the existence of this layer in doubt.

Mosaic of four images of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Editors' Highlights

Dancing Dust on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

by Naomi Murdoch and Laurent G. J. Montési 19 July 202318 July 2023

Cometary activity moves sediments over the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, with long-term sinks near the poles of the comet.

Black and white photo of particles and a bar graph.

Editors' Highlights

Dust in the (Martian) Wind

by Laurent G. J. Montési and Germán Martinez 31 May 202330 May 2023

The InSight Lander, on Mars, intentionally dumped sand over its seismic instrument’s tether and the wind sorted the particles by size as it blew them away.

Editors' Highlights

Hand Magnets Destroy the Magnetic Record of Meteorites

by Laurent G. J. Montési and Sonia Tikoo 30 May 202324 May 2023

Meteorite collectors often use strong magnets for classification, but this approach destroys crucial evidence of processes active in the early solar system.

Editors' Highlights

Martian Lava, Up Close and Personal

by Laurent G. J. Montési 10 March 20236 March 2023

The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover conducted the first investigation of volcanic rocks where they stand in their original configuration on the surface of Mars.

Topographic projection of a deep pit on Titan.

Editors' Highlights

Titanic Caves and Where to Find Them

by Laurent G. J. Montési 25 January 202324 January 2023

More than 21,000 pits, depressions, and closed valleys on Titan may provide access to underground voids or caves.

Wireframe view of the Mare Tranquillitatis pit.

Editors' Highlights

The Shape of Pits on the Moon

by Laurent G. J. Montési 24 August 202222 August 2023

Three-dimensional reconstructions enable virtual exploration of pits on the Moon.

Model of the evolution of the Serenitatis Basin, on the near side of the Moon.

Editors' Highlights

An Impact Basin Thermometer for the Moon

by Laurent G. J. Montési 22 April 202216 June 2022

Large impact basins on the near side of the Moon lack the annulus of thickened crust that far-side basins have. The difference can be linked to the thermal structure of the lunar crust.