Luna 24: 90-150 micrometer fraction - Implications for remote sampling of regolithAn analysis of the mineral grains and glasses found in the 90 to 150 micron fraction of the Luna 24 core sample is presented and implications for the automatic collection of planetary and asteroidal regoliths are discussed. Electron microprobe analysis for pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase, opaque minerals and glass in samples at various depths indicate that polymineralic grains have compositions similar to those of gabbroic and basaltic fragments from coarser samples, while monomineralic grains contain an additional population of Mg-rich olivines and pyroxene. Most of the glasses are found to be related to mare basalts or local regolith, with nonmare material represented by glasses of highland basalt and low K Fra Mauro composition. It is concluded that as regards mineralogy and petrology, a single grab sample would have been as useful and a series of grab samples on a long traverse would have been more useful than the Luna 24 core sample, with the fine sample being more informative than the coarse.
Document ID
19790048508
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Papp, H. A. (Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Steele, I. M. (Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Smith, J. V. (Chicago, University Chicago, Ill., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1978
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Mare Crisium: The view from Luna 24; Conference