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Radcliffe, S. V.

Publications and source records attributed to Radcliffe, S. V..

16 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Electron petrography of Apollo 14 and 15 breccias and shock-produced analogs

Six lunar breccias were studied in detail by optical and transmission electron microscopy and separated into two classes on the basis of presence or absence of recovery and recrystallization textures: Class A breccias with no recrystallization include samples 14063, 14301, and 15498; Class B breccias with recrystallization include samples 14321, 15455, and 15418. Samples of Apollo 16 soil (65010) experimentally shocked to 50, 100, and 250 kilobars pressure were sectioned and studied for comparison with the breccias. It is concluded that the Class A breccias were formed from unconsolidated lunar regolith by deformation due to shock waves of a few tens of kilobars. The Class B breccias could also have been produced from unconsolidated material at higher shock stresses, the annealing being achieved by the heating resulting from the shock deformation.

Christie, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Phase transformations and exsolution in lunar and terrestrial calcic plagioclases.

A coarse domain structure had been discovered in plagioclase in an electron microscopic study of lunar rocks reported by Christie et al. (1971). The domain structures are described in more detail, and their significance in the light of current knowledge concerning the crystal structures of the plagioclases is discussed. An exsolution texture is also described. On the basis of the scale of exsolution it appears that the Apollo 11 and 12 basalts examined cooled more rapidly than the Apollo 14 basalt, which in turn cooled more rapidly than the Stillwater rock.

Heuer, A. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

High voltage transmission microscopy of Surveyor 3 camera shrouds

The internal structure of painted and unpainted aluminum alloy sheet samples from the TV camera shrouds were examined by high-voltage transmission electron microscopy. No clear-cut evidence of radiation damage effects was observed. Noticeable differences in microstructures between the upper visor and the sides and bottom of the lower shroud suggest different thermal histories, and the maximum temperatures due to solar heating are estimated to be between 164 and 319 C. Some correlation between microstructures and maximum estimated temperature is noted. It is felt that the apparent temperature rise due to solar heating will not affect the structural integrity of spacecraft components except possibly for very long periods of exposure. However, substantial thermal diffusion could affect interpretation of solar wind rare gas studies.

Fisher, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Deformation of lunar and terrestrial minerals.

The deformation substructures observed by TEM in breccia returned by the Apollo 14 mission are illustrated and their significance is discussed in the context of earlier work on mineral deformation. Shock-produced glass and heavily deformed mineral grains indicate severe shock deformation. Extensive local recovery and sub-microscopic recrystallization are evident and suggest that the coherency of the breccias is caused by a 'shock sintering' mechanism.

Christie, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Electron petrography of Apollo 14 and 15 rocks.

Comparative optical and high-voltage electron petrographic analyses of igneous rocks and several types of breccias the Fra Mauro and Apennine sites of Apollo 14 and 15 are reported and interpreted. The crystalline rocks are found to differ substantially from the Apollo 11 and 12 basalts. Substructures in the Apollo 14 breccias are complex. At least two bonding mechanisms can be discerned from the electron petrographic examination: (a) 'shock sintering' due to high pressures and temperatures associated with the shock waves of meteoritic impacts; and (b) lithification by glass bonding.

Lally, J. S.↗