Determining the Absolute Abundances of Natural Radioactive Elements on the Lunar Surface by the Kaguya Gamma-ray Spectrometer

The Kaguya gamma-ray spectrometer (KGRS) has great potential to precisely determine the absolute abundances of natural radioactive elements K, Th and U on the lunar surface because of its excellent spectroscopic performance. In order to achieve the best performance of the KGRS, it is important to kn...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Space science reviews 2010-07, Vol.154 (1-4), p.193-218
Main Authors: Kobayashi, S., Hasebe, N., Shibamura, E., Okudaira, O., Kobayashi, M., Yamashita, N., Karouji, Y., Hareyama, M., Hayatsu, K., d’Uston, C., Maurice, S., Gasnault, O., Forni, O., Diez, B., Reedy, R. C., Kim, K. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerospace Technology and Astronautics
Astrophysics and Astroparticles
Gamma ray astronomy
Gamma rays
Monte Carlo simulation
Moon
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Planetology
Space exploration
Space Exploration and Astronautics
Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics
Spacecraft
Spectrum analysis
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Summary:The Kaguya gamma-ray spectrometer (KGRS) has great potential to precisely determine the absolute abundances of natural radioactive elements K, Th and U on the lunar surface because of its excellent spectroscopic performance. In order to achieve the best performance of the KGRS, it is important to know the spatial response function (SRF) that describes the directional sensitivity of the KGRS. The SRF is derived by a series of Monte Carlo simulations of gamma-ray transport in the sensor of the KGRS using the full-fledged simulation model of the KGRS, and is studied in detail. In this paper, the method for deriving absolute abundance of natural radioactive elements based on the SRF is described for the analysis of KGRS data, which is also applicable to any gamma-ray remote sensings. In the preliminary analysis of KGRS data, we determined the absolute abundances of K and Th on the lunar surface without using any previous knowledge of chemical information gained from Apollo samples, lunar meteorites and/or previous lunar remote sensings. The results are compared with the previous measurements and the difference and the correspondence are discussed. Future detailed analysis of KGRS data will provide new and more precise maps of K, Th and U on the lunar surface.
ISSN:0038-6308
1572-9672
DOI:10.1007/s11214-010-9650-2