Inert Gases in Lunar Samples

Sample 10084,40 (fines, less than 1 millimeter) contains substantial amounts of the inert gases. Their concentrations are inversely proportional to particle size; hence the gases appear to be surface-correlated in the soil fragments. The most likely origin of the gas is solar wind or solar cosmic ra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1970-01, Vol.167 (3918), p.555-558
Main Authors: Heymann, D., Yaniv, A., Adams, J. A. S., Fryer, G. E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cosmic rays
Feldspars
Gases
Grain size
Meteorites
Noble gases
Ratios
Solar cosmic rays
Solar wind
Stable Isotopes, Rare Gases, Solar Wind, and Spallation Products
Tritium
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Summary:Sample 10084,40 (fines, less than 1 millimeter) contains substantial amounts of the inert gases. Their concentrations are inversely proportional to particle size; hence the gases appear to be surface-correlated in the soil fragments. The most likely origin of the gas is solar wind or solar cosmic rays. Glass and feldspar are generally poorer in gas than lithic fragments. Ratios of elements in the sample differ significantly from solar values. Ratios of isotopes in the sample are similar to those in meteorites. Argon-40 appears to consist of a radiogenic and a surface-correlated component. An apparent potassium-argon age of 4.42$_{-0.28}^{+0.24}$ billion years is calculated.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.167.3918.555