The available analytical data from twelve locations on the moon are used to estimate the average amounts of the principal chemical elements (O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, and Fe) in the mare, the terra, and the average lunar surface regolith. These chemical elements comprise about 99% of the atoms on the lunar surface. The relatively small variability in the amounts of these elements at different mare (or terra) sites, and the evidence from the orbital measurements of Apollo 15 and 16, suggest that the lunar surface is much more homogeneous than the surface of the earth. The average chemical composition of the lunar surface may now be known as well as, if not better than, that of the solid part of the earth's surface.


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    Title :

    The average chemical composition of the lunar surface


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Lunar Science Conference ; 1973 ; Houston, TX


    Publication date :

    1973-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :



    Instrument for lunar surface chemical analysis.

    Anderson, W. A. / Emmert, R. A. / Franzgrote, E. et al. | NTRS | 1966


    Elemental composition of lunar surface material

    Mapper, D. / Smales, A. A. / Webb, M. S. W. et al. | NTRS | 1970



    Chemical composition and origin of nonmare lunar basalts

    Gast, P. W. / Hubbard, N. J. | NTRS | 1971