This pseudomorph shows agate replacing what were likely calcite crystals, preserving their original hexagonal forms while completely transforming the mineral composition. The microcrystalline quartz has captured every detail of the crystal faces that once existed here.
These geological time capsules form when silica-rich solutions dissolve away the original minerals and deposit agate in their place. The result is this fascinating hybrid — agate with the external geometry of completely different crystals, like nature’s own sleight of hand.
On April 6, 2026, the Artemis II astronauts flew around the Moon, observing the far side – which we never see on Earth thanks to tidal locking – with their own eyes and with cameras.
See more of the Moon:
A crescent Earth setting behind the Moon’s horizon.
Earth setting behind the Moon as seen by the Artemis II crew. Over half the left side of the image is filled by the gray lunar surface, pocked with craters.
A close view of the Moon. Jagged circles of craters dot the gray surface, fading to dark on the left side of the image.
A close view of the edge of the Moon. Jagged circles of craters dot the dark gray lunar surface, which arcs across the image.
A close-up view of the Moon, filling most of the frame. Along the left side of the image, the terminator divides the illuminated and darkened sides of the Moon.
A close-up view of the Moon, filling most of the frame. Along the left side of the image, the terminator divides the illuminated and darkened sides of the Moon.
Earth just as it set behind the Moon, as seen by the Artemis II crew. The dark gray surface of the Moon, pocked with craters, arcs from the bottom left corner of the image to the top right.
Check out more photos from the lunar flyby, including astronaut selfies and the solar eclipse only they experienced.
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This observation overlaps with another image we acquired in 2009. In Mars Year 30 (approximately February 2010 to January 2012) six images were taken here to monitor gully formation. We want to learn how the ripples have moved since then. Have they erased the newly-formed gullies? Are we seeing a competition between wind, ice, and water here?
ID: ESP_076842_1275
date: 17 December 2022
altitude: 250 km
https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_076842_1275
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
Hong Yong Xin aka 洪永欣 aka Hong Yongxin aka Honh Yon-Xin (Taiwanese, b. 1993, Taipei, Taiwan) - 黑狐 (Black Fox) from Prey and Pet exhibition, 2022, Paintings: Mineral Pigment, Mud Pigment
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