STRUCTURAL WATER IN THE BENCH CRATER CHONDRITE RETURNED FROM THE MOON

I have reinvestigated the mineralogy of the only carbonaceous chondrit e (12037,188) returned from the Moon and found saponite within, which comprises the first hydrous material returned from the Moon. That this phyllosilicate has survived impact onto the lunar surface suggests th at asteroid and cometary impacts could have provided significant quant ities of surviving clay (hydrous) minerals into the lunar regolith. Th e Bench Crater meteorite also provides a glimpse of the petrography of the ancient meteoroid complex, something not possible on the geologic ally active Earth.