Search for polarization in the X-ray emission of the Crab Nebula
Taurus X-1 X ray emission polarization, using rocket-borne polarimeter
Angel, J. R. P.↗
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Upper limit of the X-ray polarization of the Crab Nebula
Taurus X-1 X ray emission polarization from rocket-borne polarimeter measurements, utilizing incoherent scattering
Angel, J. R. P.↗
Apollo 17 Mission Report
Operational and engineering aspects of the Apollo 17 mission are outlined. The vehicle configuration was similar to those of Apollo 15 and 16. There were significant differences in the science payload for Apollo 17 and spacecraft hardware differences and experiment equipment are described. The mission achieved a landing in the Taurus-Littrow region of the moon and returned samples of the pre-Imbrium highlands and young craters.
MIssion Evaluation Team↗
Lunar cinder cones.
Data on terrestrial eruptions of pyroclastic material and ballistic considerations suggest that in the lunar environment (vacuum and reduced gravity) low-rimmed pyroclastic rings are formed rather than the high-rimmed cinder cones so abundant on the earth. Dark blanketing deposits in the Taurus-Littrow region (Apollo 17 landing area) are interpreted as being at least partly composed of lunar counterparts of terrestrial cinder cones.
Mcgetchin, T. R.↗
Ortho and para-armalcolite samples in Apollo 17.
Two paragenetically contrasting forms of armalcolite are present in basalts from the Apollo 17 Taurus-Littrow landing site. These armalcolites differ in optical properties, in crystal habit and in their distribution between coarse and fine grained rocks. It is proposed to call the two armalcolite forms ortho-armalcolite and para-armalcolite. Texural relationships and the evidence of experimental melting show that ortho-armalcolite is always the first crystalline phase to appear from unusually titanium rich magmas. The origin of para-armalcolite is not yet fully understood.
Haggerty, S. E.↗
Introduction
The accomplishments of the Apollo 17 flight are briefly described. The characteristics of the Taurus-Littrow region landing site are analyzed. The experiments conducted to analyze the composition of the lunar surface are reported. The extent to which the results of the Apollo 17 experiments confirmed theories concerning lunar seismology, thermal characteristics, presence of radioactive materials, and origin of the moon is developed.
Calio, A. J.↗
Apollo 17 site selection
The scientific arguments and recommendations concerning the selection of the Apollo 17 landing site are presented. The final selection was influenced by the accomplishments and circumstances of previous Apollo flights and by the proposed experiments for Apollo 17. The decisive factors in selecting the Taurus-Littrow landing area were: (1) certainty of acquiring highlands lunar samples, (2) superior orbital coverage, and (3) better use of the lunar roving vehicle capabilities.
Hinners, N. W.↗
Mission description
The accomplishments of the Apollo 17 flight are discussed. The scientific objectives included geological surveying and sampling of materials and surface features in a preselected area of the Taurus-Littrow region, deploying and activating surface experiments, and conducting inflight experiments and photographic tasks during lunar orbit and transearth coast. The individual Apollo 17 experiments and photographic tasks are presented in outline form. Charts are developed to show the major mission events and data collection periods correlated to Greenwich Mean Time and ground elapsed time. Maps of the lunar surface ground track envelope for the Apollo 17 orbiting spacecraft for revolutions one to seventy-five is shown.
Baldwin, R. R.↗
Preliminary geologic investigation of the Apollo 17 landing site
A geological investigation of the Apollo 17 lunar landing site was conducted. The Taurus-Littrow valley is interpreted as a deep graben formed by structural adjustment of lunar crustal material to the Serenitatis impact. Materials of the valley fill were sampled at many stations. Ejecta around many craters on the valley floor consist of basalt, showing that the graben was partly filled by lava flows. The geological objectives of the Apollo 17 mission are divided into orbital and lunar surface data collection. The data obtained for both types of investigation are presented in tables, photographs, and drawings.
Muehlberger, W. R.↗
Soil mechanics
The soil mechanics experiment on the Apollo 17 mission to the Taurus-Littrow area of the moon is discussed. The objectives of the experiment were to determine the physical characteristics and mechanical properties of the lunar soil at the surface and subsurface in lateral directions. Data obtained on the lunar surface in conjunction with observations of returned samples of lunar soil are used to determine in-place density and porosity profiles and to determine strength characteristics on local and regional scales.
Mitchell, J. K.↗
Heat flow experiment
The heat flow experiment conducted during the Apollo 17 flight in the Taurus-Littrow area of the moon is discussed. The concept of the experiment is based on the direct measurement of the vertical flow of heat through the regolith. The measurement is made far enough below the surface so that the time-varying heat flow resulting from the very large diurnal variations of the surface temperature is small as compared with the flow from the interior. The equipment used for the experiment is described and illustrated. Graphs are developed to present the results of heat flow and surface temperature measurements.
Langseth, M. G., Jr.↗
Traverse gravimeter experiment
The primary goal of the traverse gravimeter experiment (TGE) was to make relative gravity measurements at a number of sites in the Apollo 17 landing area and to use these measurements to obtain information about the geological substructure. A secondary goal was to obtain the value of the gravity at the landing site relative to an accurately known value on earth. Both these goals were successfully achieved by the experiment. A gravity tie has been obtained between the Taurus-Littrow landing site and the earth with an estimated accuracy of approximately 5 mgal. Relative gravity measurements that can be used to infer the substructure of the area have been obtained at stations visited during each period of extravehicular activity (EVA).
Talwani, M.↗
Lunar ejecta and meteorites experiment
The test equipment installed during the Apollo 17 flight to conduct the lunar ejecta and meteorites (LEAM) investigation is described. The LEAM experiment intercepts ejecta particles created by meteoroid impact on the lunar surface and records information useful in establishing the history of the moon. The deployment of the system in the Taurus-Littrow area and the method for controlling the equipment are explained. The effects of lunar surface temperatures on the operation of the sensors are reported.
Berg, O. E.↗
Lunar atmospheric composition experiment
On the Apollo 17 mission, a miniature mass spectrometer, called the lunar atmospheric composition experiment (LACE), was carried to the moon as part of the Apollo lunar surface experiments package (ALSEP) to study the composition of and variation in the lunar atmosphere. The instrument was successfully deployed in the Taurus-Littrow valley with its entrance aperture oriented upward to intercept and measure the downward flux of gases at the lunar surface. Initial activation of the LACE instrument occurred on December 27, 1972, approximately 50 hr after sunset, and operation continued throughout the first lunar night. Sunrise brought a high background gas level and necessitated discontinuing operation during lunar daytime except for a brief check near noon. Near sunset, operation was resumed and continued throughout the night. This sequence was repeated for the second and third lunations.
J. H. Hoffman↗
The geologic setting of Boulder 1, Station 2
Apollo 17 landed on the flat floor of a deep, narrow valley embayed in the mountainous highlands that comprise the southeastern rim of Mare Serenitatis. Serenitatis is one of the youngest multiringed basins on the lunar nearside and is underlain by a mascon. The valley of Taurus-Littrow, which is radial to the basin, is generally interpreted as a graben formed as a result of structural adjustments of the lunar crust in response to the Serenitatis event.
Schmitt, H. H.↗
The petrology of 76055,10, a thermally metamorphosed fragment-laden olivine micronorite hornfels
General petrographic description of a large regolith specimen collected at the Taurus-Littrow landing site of Apollo 17. The specimen consists of a large clast of olivine micronorite hornfels with well-devepoled porphyroblastic texture, surrounded by highly vesicular olivine micronorite hornfels with incipient development of the porphyroblastic textures. Pink spinels with radial anorthite rims occur in both the clast and the surrounding matrix.
Chao, E. C. T.↗
The structure of the lunar crust at the Apollo 17 site
A seismic profiling experiment was successfully executed on the lunar surface during the Apollo 17 mission allowing a determination of the structure of the lunar crust to a depth of several kilometers. The most outstanding feature of the seismic velocity variation, in the Taurus-Littrow region, is the stepwise increase with depth. A total thickness of about 1200 meters for the infilling mare basalts at the 17 landing site is also indicated from the seismic results. The apparent velocity is high (about 4 km/sec for P waves) in the material below the basalts.
Kovach, R. L.↗
Surface electrical properties experiment
The Surface Electrical Properties Experiment (SEP) was flown to the moon in December 1972 on Apollo 17 and used to explore a portion of the Taurus-Littrow region. SEP used a relatively new technique, termed radio frequency interferometry (RFI). Electromagnetic waves were radiated from two orthogonal, horizontal electric dipole antennas on the surface of the moon at frequencies of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 Mhz. The field strength of the EM waves was measured as a function of distance with a receiver mounted on the Lunar Roving Vehicle and using three orthogonal, electrically small, loops. The interference pattern produced by the waves that travelled above the moon's surface and those that travelled below the surface was recorded on magnetic tape. The tape was returned to earth for analysis and interpretation. Several reprints, preprints, and an initial draft of the first publication of the SEP results are included. These documents provide a rather complete account of the details of the theory of the RFI technique, of the terrestrial tests of the technique, and of the present state of our interpretation of the Apollo 17 data.
Simmons, G.↗