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Observation of lunar radon emanation with the Apollo 15 alpha particle spectrometer.The alpha particle spectrometer, a component of the orbital Sim Bay group of 'geochemistry' experiments on Apollo 15, was designed to detect alpha particles emitted during the decay of isotopes of radon gas and her daughter products. The purpose was to measure the gross activity of radon on the lunar surface and to find possible regions of increased local activity. Results are presented from a partial analysis of Apollo 15 data. For the moon as a whole, Rn220 was not observed and the upper limit on its decay rate above the lunar surface is 0.00038 disintegrations/sq cm-sec. Rn222 was marginally observed. Possible variations of radon activity on the lunar surface are being investigated. Po210 (a daughter product of Rn222) has been detected in a broad region from west of Mare Crisium to the Van de Graaff-Orlov region. The observed count rate is (4.6 plus or minus 1.4) x 0.001 disintegrations/sq cm-sec. The observed level of Po210 activity is in excess of the amount that would be in equilibrium with Rn222 by about an order of magnitude. This implies that larger levels of radon emanation have occurred on the moon within a time scale of 10 to 100 years.
Document ID
19730035024
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Gorenstein, P.
Bjorkholm, P.
(American Science and Engineering, Inc. Cambridge, Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1972
Subject Category
Space Sciences
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar Science Conference
Location: Houston, TX
Start Date: January 10, 1972
End Date: January 13, 1972
Accession Number
73A19826
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-9982
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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