Remote Sensing of Lunar Mineralogy: The Glass ConundrumThe term "lunar glasses" provokes different connotations depending on the context. Common usages include a) pyroclastic deposits consisting of "glass beads" derived from the deep interior, b) melt products created during impact events, and c) the ubiquitous and complex glass-welded weathering products, agglutinates. Each is distinct due to a specific geologic origin and composition, but all contain quench glass in some form. Spectral properties of a wide range of glass-bearing lunar materials is presented elsewhere [1], Discussed here are new spectra for a depth sequence of samples from Apollo 17 core 74002 collected at Shorty Crater. The data provide new insight into why Fe-Ti-rich quench glass is not directly observed remotely. Resolving this mystery allows the extensive glass-rich deposits at Aristarchus to be recognized as low-Ti pyroclastic glass.
Document ID
20050173954
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Pieters, C. M. (Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Tompkins, S. (Science Applications International Corp. Chantilly, VA, United States)
Pieters, C. M. (Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI, Part 16