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The Surface Chemical Composition of Lunar Samples and Its Significance for Optical PropertiesThe surface iron, titanium, calcium, and silicon concentration in numerous lunar soil and rock samples was determined by Auger electron spectroscopy. All soil samples show a large increase in the iron to oxygen ratio compared with samples of pulverized rock or with results of the bulk chemical analysis. A solar wind simulation experiment using 2 keV energy alpha -particles showed that an ion dose corresponding to approximately 30,000 years of solar wind increased the iron concentration on the surface of the pulverized Apollo 14 rock sample 14310 to the concentration measured in the Apollo 14 soil sample 14163, and the albedo of the pulverized rock decreased from 0.36 to 0.07. The low albedo of the lunar soil is related to the iron + titanium concentration on its surface. A solar wind sputter reduction mechanism is discussed as a possible cause for both the surface chemical and optical properties of the soil.
Document ID
19760020055
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gold, T. (Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Bilson, E. (Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Baron, R. L. (Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1976
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
CRSR-634
NASA-CR-148169
Accession Number
76N27143
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-33-010-005
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-33-010-137
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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