mascon

noun mas·con \ ˈmas-ˌkän \

Definition of mascon

: any of the high-density regions below the surface of lunar maria that are held to perturb the motion of spacecraft in lunar orbit

Recent Examples of mascon from the Web

Plus, the moon’s lopsided topography – riddled with mascons, or areas of dense material with higher-than-average gravitational pull – makes satellites’ orbits incredibly unpredictable.

— the washington post, The Denver Post, "NASA just found an orbiter that’s been missing around the moon for 8 years," 14 Mar. 2017
The lunar crust formed around those craters, leaving mass concentrations (mascons) of gravity behind in some areas.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "NASA Spots India’s Long-Lost Lunar Orbiter," 14 Mar. 2017
Plus, the moon’s lopsided topography — riddled with mascons, or areas of dense material with higher-than-average gravitational pull — makes satellites’ orbits incredibly unpredictable.

— the washington post, The Mercury News, "NASA just found an orbiter that’s been missing for 8 years," 13 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mascon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.