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At least 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Compositions and mineralogy of lithic fragments in 1-2 mm soil samples 14002,7 and 14258,33.

The compositional data obtained are combined with existing data from larger rock samples and compared with bulk analyses of soils to determine compositional ranges and dominant igneous rock types present in the regolith and breccias. Criteria are presented for the recognition of three types of igneous fragments in a limited sample of Apollo 14 material. Explanations for the differences between glass and rock compositions are discussed.

Steele, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Luna 20 - Mineralogy and petrology of fragments less than 125-micron size.

Two milligrams of less than 125-micron size particles from the Luna 20 soil sample (22001,17) have been examined. The results of the mineral identification and analysis verify earlier assumptions that the nature of the lunar highlands is predominantly anorthositic in composition. The presence of highly magnesian clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, and olivine suggests crystallization of highland rocks in an ultrabasic environment. No fragments were observed that could be unequivocally assigned to mare basalt types.

Meyer, H. O. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Selected Apollo 17 soils - Mineralogy and geochemistry of opaque and non-opaque phases

Soil samples 74220 ('orange soil'), 74241 and 75081 were sized, and the compositions of the opaque and silicate phases were determined. The ilmenites, particularly in 74241, contain up to 7.8 wt % MgO and display higher bireflectance than low-Mg ilmenites. They commonly contain exsolution-like chromite and rutile and occasionally are in association with native Fe in an assemblage probably resulting from reduction. The chromian ulvospinels are similar to Apollo 11 spinels in that they contain near-equal amounts of chromite and ulvospinel molecules. No primary chromites were observed. Most native Fe has No and Co contents of less than 1 wt %; some in 74220 contained 5-6% Ni and less than 1% Co in association with schreibersite.

Taylor, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A statistical-chemical and thermodynamic approach to the study of lunar mineralogy

Principal components analysis is used to study the chemical compositions of pyroxenes of five Apollo 12 specimens. Important correlations are recognized in the variation of oxide weight per cent. These correlations indicating substitutional relationships can be interpreted as representative of stable and metastable trends of crystallization by using crystal-chemical and thermodynamic information. The per cent variance of pyroxene groups with characteristic trends in each specimen can be evaluated and interpreted in terms of history of crystallization. Distribution of Fe and Mg in certain pairs of olivine and pyroxene, which are found in contact in the rock and which may have crystallized simultaneously, is useful in recognizing the tendency towards chemical equilibrium in Fe-Mg distribution during a limited interval in the liquidus or subsolidus stages.

Saxena, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Composition, mineralogy, and petrology of 28 mare basalts from Apollo 15 rake samples

Twenty-eight mare basalts from three Apollo 15 rake sample sections are divided into five rock groups which are considered to represent at least five rock units. Three of these groups (pyroxene-phyric basalt, olivine-phyric basalt, and olivine microgabbro) are from the mare area and are probably near-surface local mare rock units. The remaining groups (feldspathic peridotite and feldspathic microgabbro) are found outside the mare, in Spur Crater at the foot of the Apennines; they may come from deeper levels of the local mare or from a more distant source.

Dowty, E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Lunar Science Conference, 5th, Houston, Tex., March 18-22, 1974, Proceedings. Volume 1 - Mineralogy and petrology. Volume 2 Chemical and isotope analyses. Organic chemistry. Volume 3 - Physical properties

Numerous studies on the properties of the moon based on Apollo findings and samples are presented. Topics treated include ages of the lunar nearside light plains and maria, orange material in the Sulpicius Gallus formation at the southwestern edge of Mare Serenitatis, impact-induced fractionation in the lunar highlands, igneous rocks from Apollo 16 rake samples, experimental liquid line of descent and liquid immiscibility for basalt 70017, ion microprobe mass analysis of plagioclase from 'non-mare' lunar samples, grain size and the evolution of lunar soils, chemical composition of rocks and soils at Taurus-Littrow, the geochemical evolution of the moon, U-Th-Pb systematics of some Apollo 17 lunar samples and implications for a lunar basin excavation chronology, volatile-element systematics and green glass in Apollo 15 lunar soils, solar wind nitrogen and indigenous nitrogen in Apollo 17 lunar samples, lunar trapped xenon, solar flare and lunar surface process characterization at the Apollo 17 site, and the permanent and induced magnetic dipole moment of the moon. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Gose, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Apollo 17 1-2 mm fines - Mineralogy and petrology

Nine 1-2 mm Apollo 17 soil samples from the South Massif and the Sculptured Hills are examined using petrographic and microprobe techniques. Each soil was separated into six groupings based on macroscopic features observed under a stereomicroscope. The groups and their characteristics are described. Minor differences observed include a higher content of fine-grained, dark, friable breccia and a higher content of high-Mg mafic-bearing fragments in the Sculptured Hills soils. The olivine and pyroxene compositions for light breccia from the soil samples are summarized. During the soil examination, several distinctive fragments seen include coarse orthopyroxene-plagioclase fragments with diopside-rich veins, a plagioclase-forsterite fragment with an igneous texture and a pyroxene-plagioclase fragment with isotropic, subhedral plagioclase grains.

Steele, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry of the lunar samples

The geochemistry of the bulk moon is considered, taking into account the large-scale chemical view of the lunar surface which has been obtained with the aid of three remote sensing experiments utilizing X-ray fluorescence, a gamma-ray spectrometer, and visible and near infrared reflectance measurements. Attention is also given to the regolith, the mare basins, and the lunar highlands and crust.

Warner, J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mineralogy of chromium

The minerals of chromium are tabulated together with sources of data on their crystal structures and on new or recent occurrences. Cr(3+) ions in octahedral coordination with oxygen and tetrahedral doubly negatively charged Cr(VI)O4 ions predominate in minerals on earth, whereas lunar minerals contain Cr(2+) and Cr(3+) ions. Meteorites also contain additional rare sulfide and nitride minerals of chromium.

Burns, V. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mineralogy of lunar norite 78235 - Second lunar occurrence of P2 sub 1 ca pyroxene from Apollo 17 soils

A thin section of lunar rock 78235 is examined optically as well as with an electron microprobe and is shown to be a highly-shocked coarse norite. The rock is found to consist of approximately 30% low-Ca pyroxene, 55% Ca-rich plagioclase, and 15% glass veins. The composition of the glass veins is analyzed, and it is suggested that they resulted from shock melting of the norite. Comparisons with other noritic rocks indicate that the pyroxene in rock 78235 has P2 sub 1 ca symmetry. Based on this symmetry plus the coarse grain size, it is concluded that rock 78235 was formed under plutonic conditions. The origin of the minor phases in this rock is briefly considered.

Steele, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Lafayette meteorite - Petrology and opaque mineralogy

The Lafayette meteorite is a calcium-rich achondrite composed predominantly of cumulus clinopyroxene with minor iron-rich olivine and rare interstitial feldspar. The opaque oxide minerals are magnetite-ilmenite intergrowths, an apparently homogenous Cr-rich titaniferous magnetite, and discrete ilmenite. Pyrite, the major sulfide mineral, occasionally displays lamellar intergrowths of marcasite that appear to be of primary origin. Troilite occurs as inclusions in ilmenite or interstitial to the silicate minerals. Bulk chemical composition of the glass in the fusion crust is comparable with that of the Nakhla meteorite. The glass contains abundant skeletal crystals of magnetite as well as very rare, zoned magnetite grains with rims enriched in Mg and depleted in Ti relative to the cores. Although no brecciation is visible in the Lafayette meteorite, the presence of deformed twin lamellae in the clinopyroxene indicates some deformation has occurred.

Boctor, N. Z.↗