Morphology of Apollo 11 and 12 Soil Samples and the Quest for Biogenic Forms

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 16-17
Author(s):  
Delbert E. Philpott ◽  
Charles Turnbill
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Past History ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
High Vacuum ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Carbonaceous Chondrites ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Similar Treatment

The Apollo 11 and 12 missions to the moon returned valuable samples for scientific study. The morphology of the loose sediment and breccia from Apollo 11 have been studied extensively in our laboratory using light microscopy, electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and the electron probe. The Apollo 12 sample is now undergoing similar treatment.Even though conditions on the moon, especially on the surface, are known to be extremely hostile to life as we know it, an extensive search was carried out for evidence of past life. Since numerous reports exist purporting evidence of life forms in carbonaceous chondrites coming to the Earth from outer space, such material would also be expected to be embedded in the lunar surface. Enders calculates about 2% carbonaceous chondrites on the lunar surface and Keil had measured nickel iron meteoritic ratios in his sample as about 1%. Thus influx to the surface and undetermined past history add interest to the search. However, an estimated turnover rate of 120 million years for a few inches of lunar soil does mean long exposure of this material to radiation, severe temperature changes, high vacuum, etc.

scholarly journals 2.2.4 Lunar Soil Movement Registered by the Apollo 17 Cosmic Dust Experiment

1976 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 233-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otto E. Berg ◽  
Henry Wolf ◽  
John Rhee
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
Cosmic Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Normal Impact ◽  
Soil Movement ◽  
Impact Parameters

In December, 1973, a Lunar Ejecta and Meteorites (LEAM) experiment was placed in the Taurus-Littrow area of the moon by the Apollo 17 Astronauts. Objectives of the experiment were centered around measurements of impact parameters of cosmic dust on the lunar surface. During preliminary attempts to analyze the data it became evident that the events registered by the sensors could not be attributed to cosmic dust but could only be identified with the lunar surface and the local sun angle. The nature of these data coupled with post-flight studies of instrument characteristics, have led to a conclusion that the LEAM experiment is responding primarily to a flux of highly charged, slowly moving lunar surface fines. Undoubtedly concealed in these data is the normal impact activity from cosmic dust and probably lunar ejecta, as well. This paper is based on the recognition that the bulk of events registered by the LEAM experiment are not signatures of hypervelocity cosmic dust particles, as expected, but are induced signatures of electrostatically charged and transported lunar fines.

POSSIBILITIES OF STUDYING THE LUNAR SOIL AND COMPARING THE COMPOSITIONS OF LUNAR AND TERRESTRIAL CLINOPYROXENES

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 6-17
Author(s):  
Z. Golitsyna ◽  
◽  
A. Kirdyashkin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Compositional Analysis ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Initial Composition ◽  
Basic Model ◽  
Lunar Rocks ◽  
Celestial Bodies ◽  
Temperature And Pressure

The problem of compositional analysis of extraterrestrial crystalline rocks in the study of celestial bodies is considered. Since most of the bodies, terrestrial planets and their surrounding objects may contain clinopyroxenes, it is possible to study the temperature and pressure of rock formation in certain areas according to the state of these minerals, and the studies can be carried out identically to the geothermobarometry of Earth rocks. The paper presents the results of experimental studies of clinopyroxene compositions of the basic model system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 in the pressure range of 12...30 kbar and temperatures of 1325...1650 °C, which can be assumed as conditions for the formation of lunar rocks. The development of the necessary experimental data obtained in terrestrial conditions will help in the future to conduct remote studies of the Moon and other celestial bodies without the need to deliver soil to Earth. The revealed clinopyroxenes can be analyzed with existing geothermometers and geobarometers obtained for different ranges of P-T conditions. The possibility of creating a new geothermobarometer based on the distribution of minals or cations in clinopyroxene specifically for lunar rocks is not excluded. The main features and possible instrumentation of the apparatus intended for the study of the lunar surface are described. The study of different areas of the lunar surface will determine where the country rocks are located most closely to the surface. Analysis of silicate components of the lunar rocks will make it possible to get closer to the solution to the problem of initial composition of the lunar mantle

scholarly journals First measurements of the radiation dose on the lunar surface

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (39) ◽  
pp. eaaz1334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shenyi Zhang ◽  
Robert F. Wimmer-Schweingruber ◽  
Jia Yu ◽  
Chi Wang ◽  
Qiang Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dose Rate ◽  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Lunar Soil ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Solar Particle Events ◽  
Neutral Particles ◽  
Particle Dose

Human exploration of the Moon is associated with substantial risks to astronauts from space radiation. On the surface of the Moon, this consists of the chronic exposure to galactic cosmic rays and sporadic solar particle events. The interaction of this radiation field with the lunar soil leads to a third component that consists of neutral particles, i.e., neutrons and gamma radiation. The Lunar Lander Neutrons and Dosimetry experiment aboard China’s Chang’E 4 lander has made the first ever measurements of the radiation exposure to both charged and neutral particles on the lunar surface. We measured an average total absorbed dose rate in silicon of 13.2 ± 1 μGy/hour and a neutral particle dose rate of 3.1 ± 0.5 μGy/hour.

scholarly journals The Concept of Labor Activities in the Hypogravital Space of the Moon. Part 2

2020 ◽  
pp. 42-51
Author(s):  
Oleg S. Tsygankov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Space Activity ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Moon Exploration

The actualization of attention to the Moon with the aim of achieving and involving it in the production and economic turnover of the Earth’s civilization is declared as the prevailing trend in modern space activity by the scientific community. The author was a direct participant in the testing of the crew’s actions on the lunar surface in the framework of the domestic program N1/L3 in 1969-1974. He combines the results obtained at that time with half a century of practical experience in outer space at geo-orbital stations. Also he sets out his views on the content, features and means of labor at the initial stage of moon exploration, and also considers the moon as an object of geopolitics.

scholarly journals The Concept of Labor Activities in the Hypogravital Space of the Moon

2020 ◽  
pp. 34-43
Author(s):  
Oleg S. Tsygankov
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Space Activity ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Moon Exploration

The actualization of attention to the Moon with the aim of achieving and involving it in the production and economic turnover of the Earth’s civilization is declared as the prevailing trend in modern space activity by the scientific community. The author was a direct participant in the testing of the crew’s actions on the lunar surface in the framework of the domestic program N1/L3 in 1969-1974. He combines the results obtained at that time with half a century of practical experience in outer space at geo-orbital stations. Also he sets out his views on the content, features and means of labor at the initial stage of moon exploration, and also considers the moon as an object of geopolitics.

A Photographic Map of the Moon

1962 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 113-115
Author(s):  
D. W. G. Arthur ◽  
E. A. Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Lunar Surface ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Map Projection

The cartography of the lunar surface can be split into two operations which can be carried on quite independently. The first, which is also the most laborious, is the interpretation of the lunar photographs into the symbolism of the map, with the addition of fine details from telescopic sketches. An example of this kind of work is contained in Johann Krieger'sMond Atlaswhich consists of photographic enlargements in which Krieger has sharpened up the detail to accord with his telescopic impressions. Krieger did not go on either to convert the photographic picture into the line symbolism of a map, or to place this picture on any definite map projection.

Radiation-Induced Precipitation at Thin Foil Surfaces in Ni-Be Alloys

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 598-599
Author(s):  
T. Mukai ◽  
T. E. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Electron Irradiation ◽  
High Vacuum ◽  
Thin Foil ◽  
Homogeneous Precipitation ◽  
High Voltage Electron Microscopy ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
High Voltage Electron ◽  
Radiation Induced

Radiation-induced homogeneous precipitation in Ni-Be alloys was recently observed by high voltage electron microscopy. A coupling of interstitial flux with solute Be atoms is responsible for the precipitation. The present investigation further shows that precipitation is also induced at thin foil surfaces by electron irradiation under a high vacuum.

A Base Specific Single Heavy Atom Stain for Electron Microscopy

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 184-185
Author(s):  
J. P. Langmore ◽  
N. R. Cozzarelli ◽  
A. V. Crewe
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Elastic Scattering ◽  
Heavy Atom ◽  
High Vacuum ◽  
Heavy Atoms ◽  
Large Movement ◽  
Base Sequencing ◽  
Scanning Electron

A system has been developed to allow highly specific derivatization of the thymine bases of DNA with mercurial compounds wich should be visible in the high resolution scanning electron microscope. Three problems must be completely solved before this staining system will be useful for base sequencing by electron microscopy: 1) the staining must be shown to be highly specific for one base, 2) the stained DNA must remain intact in a high vacuum on a thin support film suitable for microscopy, 3) the arrangement of heavy atoms on the DNA must be determined by the elastic scattering of electrons in the microscope without loss or large movement of heavy atoms.

Transmission Electron Microscopy of Evaporated Perylene Thin Films

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-337
Author(s):  
C. Ewins ◽  
J.R. Fryer
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Molecular Electronics ◽  
High Vacuum ◽  
Amorphous Layer ◽  
Electric Heater ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic

The preparation of thin films of organic molecules is currently receiving much attention because of the need to produce good quality thin films for molecular electronics. We have produced thin films of the polycyclic aromatic, perylene C10H12 by evaporation under high vacuum onto a potassium chloride (KCl) substrate. The role of substrate temperature in determining the morphology and crystallography of the films was then investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).The substrate studied was the (001) face of a freshly cleaved crystal of KCl. The temperature of the KCl was controlled by an electric heater or a cold finger. The KCl was heated to 200°C under a vacuum of 10-6 torr and allowed to cool to the desired temperature. The perylene was then evaporated over a period of one minute from a molybdenum boat at a distance of 10cm from the KCl. The perylene thin film was then backed with an amorphous layer of carbon and floated onto copper microscope grids.

On the Faceting of Polar Ceramic Surfaces: Microscopy and Holography Studies of MGO(111) Surfaces

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 366-367
Author(s):  
M. Gajdardziska-Josifovska ◽  
B. G. Frost ◽  
E. Völkl ◽  
L. F. Allard
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
High Vacuum ◽  
Ultra High Vacuum ◽  
Electron Holography ◽  
Flat Surfaces ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Excess Surface ◽  
Polar Surfaces ◽  
Salt Structure ◽  
Crystallographic Planes

Polar surfaces are those crystallographic faces of ionically bonded solids which, when bulk terminated, have excess surface charge and a non-zero dipole moment perpendicular to the surface. In the case of crystals with a rock salt structure, {111} faces are the exemplary polar surfaces. It is commonly believed that such polar surfaces facet into neutral crystallographic planes to minimize their surface energy. This assumption is based on the seminal work of Henrich which has shown faceting of the MgO(111) surface into {100} planes giving rise to three sided pyramids that have been observed by scanning electron microscopy. These surfaces had been prepared by mechanical polishing and phosphoric acid etching, followed by Ar+ sputtering and 1400 K annealing in ultra-high vacuum (UHV). More recent reflection electron microscopy studies of MgO(111) surfaces, annealed in the presence of oxygen at higher temperatures, have revealed relatively flat surfaces stabilized by an oxygen rich reconstruction. In this work we employ a combination of optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron holography to further study the issue of surface faceting.

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