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Are Ferroan Anorthosites Direct Products of the Lunar Magma Ocean?According to Lunar Magma Ocean (LMO) theory, lunar samples that fall into the ferroan anorthosite (FAN) category represent the only samples we have of of the primordial crust of the Moon. Modeling indicates that plagioclase crystallizes after >70% LMO crystallization and formed a flotation crust, depending upon starting composition. The FAN group of highlands materials has been subdivided into mafic-magnesian, mafic-ferroan, anorthositic- sodic, and anorthositic-ferroan, although it is not clear how these subgroups are related. Recent radiogenic isotope work has suggested the range in FAN ages and isotopic systematics are inconsistent with formation of all FANs from the LMO. While an insulating lid could have theoretically extend the life of the LMO to explain the range of the published ages, are the FAN compositions consistent with crystallization from the LMO? As part of a funded Emerging Worlds proposal (NNX15AH76G), we examine this question through analysis of FAN samples. We compare the results with various LMO crystallization models, including those that incorporate the influence of garnet.
Document ID
20160003495
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Neal, C. R.
(Notre Dame Univ. Notre Dame, IN, United States)
Draper, D. S.
(ARES Corp. Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
March 16, 2016
Publication Date
March 21, 2016
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-35559
Report Number: JSC-CN-35559
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: March 21, 2016
End Date: March 25, 2016
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Inst.
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX15AH76G
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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