Rare gas studies of the galactic cosmic ray irradiation history of lunar rocks.

Average irradiation depths and exposure ages of Tranquillity Base rocks are computed on the basis of eight analyses of the five noble gases in whole rock samples and lunar separates from lunar rocks, in conjunction with available literature data. Correlated variations in He-3/Ne-21 and Ar-38/Ne-21 reflect shielding differences. This correlation cannot be explained by diffusion losses, even though evidence for gas loss is obtained from mineral separate data. A qualitative shielding sequence is constructed which agrees reasonably well with the sequence based on Gd isotopic data.