Preliminary examination of lunar samples

Abstract

The morphology, mineralogy, petrology, and chemistry of the samples returned from the Apollo 15 landing site are discussed. A selenological description of the area from which the samples were taken is given. The diversity of the samples and the variety of sample environments found at the Apollo 15 site have resulted in several hypotheses that relate individual samples to local situations after even a preliminary examination of the samples. Several somewhat speculative hypotheses that relate individual samples to a geological framework are discussed in the hope that the hypotheses will provide guidelines for more detailed studies of the samples to arrive at an integrated understanding of the selenology of the Apollo 15 site.