Electronic absorption spectra of lunar minerals

Techniques for obtaining information on the crystal chemistry of transition-metal ions from measurement of the electronic absorption spectra of lunar minerals are reviewed along with the theory of spectral interpretation. Typical polarized absorption spectra are examined for lunar pyroxenes, pyroxferroite, olivine, and plagioclase feldspars. Oxidation states of Fe, Ti, and Cr in lunar minerals are discussed, and conditions under which they crystallized are considered. It is shown how information on the gross mineralogy and petrology of different regions of the moon's surface may be extracted from remote reflectivity measurements of that surface.