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Lunar composition from Apollo orbital measurementsAn X-ray spectrometer carried in the Service Module of the Apollo 15 and 16 spacecraft were employed for compositional mapping of the lunar surface. The surface measurements involved observations of the intensity and characteristic energy distribution of the fluorescent X-rays produced by the interaction of the solar X-rays with the lunar surface as well as naturally occurring gamma-rays and cosmic ray produced gamma-rays. A large scale compositional map of approximately twenty percent of the lunar surface was obtained for the first time. It was possible to demonstrate differences between the highlands and the mare and to learn something about the composition of the moon's hidden side. Results obtained from the X-ray experiment and the gamma-ray experiment are consistent with those obtained from lunar sample analysis.
Document ID
19740034916
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Adler, I.
Trombka, J. I.
Yin, L. I.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1973
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Meeting Information
Meeting: ESLAB Symposium
Location: Noordwijk
Country: Netherlands
Start Date: September 26, 1972
End Date: September 29, 1972
Accession Number
74A17666
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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