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Electrical conductivity anomaly beneath Mare Serenitatis detected by Lunokhod 2 and Apollo 16 magnetometersMagnetic fluctuations measured by the Lunokhod 2 magnetometer in the Bay Le Monnier are distinctly anisotropic when compared to simultaneous Apollo 16 magnetometer data measured 1100 km away in the Descartes highlands. This anisotropy can be explained by an anomalous electrical conductivity of the upper mantle beneath Mare Serenitatis. A model is presented of anomalously lower electrical conductivity beneath Serenitatis and the simultaneous magnetic data from the Lunokhod 2 site at the mare edge and the Apollo 16 site are compared to the numerically calculated model solutions. This comparison indicates that the anisotropic fluctuations can be modeled by a nonconducting layer in the lunar lithosphere which is 150 km thick beneath the highlands and 300 km thick beneath Mare Serenitatis. A decreased electrical conductivity in the upper mantle beneath the mare may be due to a lower temperature resulting from heat carried out the magma source regions to the surface during mare flooding.
Document ID
19790068057
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Vanian, L. L.
(Academy of Sciences (USSR) Moscow, Ussr)
Vnuchkova, T. A.
(Academy of Sciences (USSR) Moscow, Ussr)
Egorov, I. V.
(Akademiia Nauk SSSR Institut Okeanologii, Moscow, Ussr)
Basilevskii, A. T.
(Akademiia Nauk SSSR Institut Geokhimii i Analiticheskoi Khimii, Moscow, Ussr)
Eroshenko, E. G.
(Academy of Sciences (USSR) Moscow, Ussr)
Fainberg, E. B.
(Akademiia Nauk SSSR, Institut Zemnogo Magnetizma, Ionosfery i Rasprostraneniia Radiovoln Moscow, Ussr)
Dyal, P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Daily, W. D.
(Eyring Research Institute Provo, Utah, United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Moon and the Planets
Volume: 21
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
79A52070
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-2082
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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