Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
The lunar interior
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Kovach, R. L. Anderson, D. L. |
| Copyright Year | 1972 |
| Description | The compressional velocities are estimated for materials in the lunar interior and compared with lunar seismic results. The lower crust has velocities appropriate for basalts or anorthosites. The high velocities associated with the uppermost mantle imply high densities and a change in composition to a lighter assemblage at depths of the order of 120 km. Calcium and aluminum are probably important components of the upper mantle and are deficient in the lower mantle. Much of the moon may have accreted from material similar in composition to eucrites. The important mineral of the upper mantle is garnet; possible accessory minerals are kyanite, spinel, and rutile. If the seismic results stand up, the high velocity layer in the moon is more likely to be a high pressure form of anorthosite than eclogite, pyroxenite, or dunite. The thickness of the layer is of the order of 50 km. Cosmic abundances can be maintained if the lower mantle is ferromagnesium silicate with minimal amounts of calcium and aluminum. Achondrites such as eucrites and howardites have more of the required characteristics of the lunar interior than carbonaceous chondrites. A density inversion in the moon is a strong possibility. |
| File Size | 679812 |
| Page Count | 24 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19720013141 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t8cg4gg95 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1972-02-23 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Space Sciences Lunar Crust Lunar Composition Compression Waves Rocks Lunar Seismographs Minerals Velocity Measurement Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
