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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface
Published on: July 30, 2020
Gas analysis of the lunar surface
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 30, 1970
Summary
Lunar soil analysis reveals trapped solar atmosphere and diverse rock ages. Mare Tranquillitatis likely crystallized around 4 billion years ago, possibly from meteorite impacts or volcanic activity.
Area of Science:
- Lunar geology
- Cosmochemistry
- Planetary science
Background:
- The lunar surface contains significant quantities of rare gases.
- These gases suggest the presence of a trapped solar atmosphere within lunar soil and breccia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze rare gases and cosmogenic products in lunar samples.
- To determine the exposure ages and crystallization history of lunar rocks.
Main Methods:
- Rare gas analysis of lunar soil and breccia.
- Measurement of cosmogenic products in lunar rocks.
- Potassium-argon dating of lunar rock samples.
Main Results:
- Lunar soil contains large amounts of trapped solar atmospheric gases.
- Exposure ages of 17 lunar rocks range from 20 to 400 million years.
- Potassium-argon dating of 14 lunar rocks reveals ages from 2.5 to 3.8 billion years.
Conclusions:
- The Moon preserves evidence of the ancient solar atmosphere.
- Mare Tranquillitatis crystallized approximately 4 billion years ago.
- The crystallization was likely caused by a significant meteorite impact or volcanic event.
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