Apollo 17 report on the Valley of Taurus-Littrow
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The thermal emission of the lunar surface has been mapped by an infrared scanner from lunar orbit. Samples from approximately 250,000 scans reveal the full range of lunar temperatures from 80 to 400 K. The temperature resolution was 1 K with about plus or minus 2 K absolute precision. Spatial resolution was approximately 2 km over most of the horizon-to-horizon scan. The total mapped area amounted to approximately 30% of the lunar surface. The data currently available confirms the large population of nighttime thermal anomalies in western Oceanus Procellarum predicted by earth-based observations. Most of these 'hot spots' are associated with fresh impact features or boulder fields. Also seen in the data are 'cold spots' where the local nighttime temperature is depressed relative to the general soil background. Such regions exhibiting low surface conductivity are inferred to be relatively young, nonimpact features.
The scientific objectives of the ultraviolet spectrometer experiment are discussed, along with design and operational details, instrument preparation and performance, and scientific results. Information gained from the experiment is given concerning the lunar atmosphere and albedo, zodiacal light, astronomical observations, spacecraft environment, and the distribution of atomic hydrogen in the solar system and in the earth's atmosphere.
The lunar sounder is described as a radar system operating at carrier frequencies of 5, 15, and 150 MHz. The radar echoes are recorded onto Kodak type S0-394 film through the use of an optical recorder utilizing a cathode ray tube as the exposing device. A processing configuration is determined with regard to linearity, dynamic range, and noise.
The bulk and trace element composition of five small samples from four rocks is remarkably similar. This result indicates that the metaclastic rocks studied are relatively uniform in their chemical composition. The elemental abundances found in the study are presented in two tables and the implications of the data are considered, giving attention to siderophiles, atmophile elements, and questions of element correlations. The 'dark mantle' valley soil 75081 at Camelot Crater is low in siderophiles. Since the soil is low in alkalis, a derivation from low-alkali mare basalt is suggested. The identical volatile contents in the surface soil 72461 and the 4 cm depth soil 72441 under a 0.7 m boulder argue against any surficial volatization by galactic and solar particles.
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An analysis of soils collected on the valley floor at Taurus-Littrow (dark mantle) reveals that these soils are formed by comminution of mare basalt flows and a clastic deposit consisting of black and orange glass spheres. There is no evidence for the pyroclastic origin of the dark mantle. It is found that the North Massif soils contain a large amount of mare-derived fragments being transported horizontally from the basaltic valley floor. A light mantle deposit of uniform composition including comminuted noritic and anorthositic breccia is observed. It is suggested that the light mantle is an avalanche deposit from regolith developed high on the South Massif.
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The ancient meteoritic components are considered, taking into account the significance of high siderophile abundances in highland rocks. Because this component occurs in breccias which have remained closed systems for at least 3.9 aeons, it can properly be called an ancient meteoritic component. It appears that the ancient meteoritic bodies represent a distinct population, different from present-day meteorites. Attention is given to the assignment of the lunar meteorite groups to individual basins and to the origin of basin-forming objects.
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Abundances of C, N, S, He, H, and metallic iron at Taurus-Littrow are typical of a mixed mare and highland environment. Isotopic compositions of C, N, and S also generally conform to patterns observed elsewhere on the moon. Further evidence is presented for a complex lunar S cycle.
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An experimental investigation was conducted with the objective to obtain quantitative bounds, in terms of shock pressure and hence meteoroid impact velocity, concerning the conditions required to compact and lithify lunar fines. The measured pressure-particle velocity release states provide a basis for the determination of the approximate values of shock pressure associated with various postshock volumes and temperatures concomitant with solid-state vitrification and thermal melting. The implications of the obtained results for the study of regolith evolution are discussed.
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Results are presented of the Biocore experiment which attempted to assess the degree to which exposure to cosmic ray particle radiation might present a risk to astronauts. Pocket mice, with plastic dosimeters implanted beneath the scalp were flown in a sealed canister. The objective was to determine whether microscopically visible lesions attributable to particle radiation, could be found in brain, eye, and other tissues in these animals. The need for further study is demonstrated.