noun
- a region of the moon or other celestial body where the gravitational field is stronger than normal due to a concentration of dense material beneath the surface
Usage: astronomy; geology
Examples
- The spacecraft’s orbit was altered by the mascon beneath the lunar mare.
- Scientists discovered several mascons on the moon using gravitational measurements.
- The mascon caused unexpected changes in the satellite’s trajectory.
- Lunar mascons are thought to be caused by dense basaltic material.
- The Apollo missions helped identify the locations of major mascons.
- Mascons create gravitational anomalies that affect orbiting spacecraft.