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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
10:12
Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples
Published on: June 19, 2018
Apollo 15 Geochemical X-ray Fluorescence Experiment: Preliminary Report.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 28, 1972
Summary
X-ray fluorescence geochemical experiments reveal significant compositional differences in lunar maria and highlands. These findings suggest a differentiated lunar highland crust, likely feldspathic and linked to plagioclase-rich materials.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Lunar Science
- Planetary Geology
Background:
- Previous lunar sample analyses identified plagioclase-rich materials.
- Lunar orbital experiments provide complementary data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze geochemical data from x-ray fluorescence experiments.
- To investigate compositional differences between lunar maria and highlands.
- To understand the nature of the lunar highland crust.
Main Methods:
- X-ray fluorescence geochemical experiment.
- Analysis of lunar rocks and soil samples.
- Integration with data from other lunar orbital experiments, including gamma-ray spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Significant compositional variations detected within lunar maria and highlands.
- Evidence for a differentiated lunar highland crust.
- Correlation between detected compositions and previously identified plagioclase-rich materials.
Conclusions:
- The lunar highland crust is likely feldspathic and differentiated.
- The detected compositions are consistent with materials from Apollo and Luna missions.
- The x-ray fluorescence experiment was highly successful in revealing lunar compositional heterogeneity.
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