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At least 127 records · Page 7

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NASA NTRS1984

'Fluffy' Type A Ca-, Al-rich inclusions in the Allende meteorite

Inclusions called 'fluffy' Type A's or FTA's in the Allende meteorite are examined as possible candidates for relict vapor-solid condensate grains, remaining from the original solar nebula. Type A inclusions are characterized by abundant melilite and absence of primary anorthite and titaniferous pyroxene. Fluffy Type A's were probably loosely bound clumps of crystals drifting in the solar nebula, analogous to dustballs or snowflakes. Polished thin sections of all samples were studied optically and with a JEOL JSM-35 scanning electron microscope. It is reasonably clear that neither whole FTA's nor constituent nodules of the coarser grained ones were ever molten. Despite solid-state recrystallization which has affected these inclusions to varying degrees, the coarser grained material remaining in many of them is probably a relic of vapor-solid condensation in the solar nebula.

Macpherson, G. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Chemical and physical studies of type 3 chondrites. III Chondrules from the Dhajala H3.8 chondrite

Thermoluminescence (TL) properties have been measured in 58 chondrules separated from the Dhajala H3.8 chondrite. The pyrolytic chondrules are noted to have higher mass-normalized TL values than nonpyrolytic ones. Significant correlations are noted between log(TL) and the bulk CaO, Al2O3, and MnO content of the chondrules. These, together with correlations of log(TL) with the CaO, Al2O3, SiO2 and normative anorthite content of the chondrule glass, indicate an association of the TL and the abundance and position of mesostasis. It is suggested that the TL level in a given chondrule is governed by its bulk composition and metamorphism, and it is hypothesized that the devitrification resistance of unequilibrated chondrule mesostasis explains the unequilibration of certain chondrules in type 3 ordinary chondrites.

Sears, D. W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Mineralogical investigations of lunar samples and meteorites

Electron microprobe analysis was employed to study north ray crater breccia 67015 from the Moon. The melting history of lunar troctolite 130-9 was investigated, along with the presence of Mg-26 in anorthite grains recovered from the Vaca Meurta mesosiderite. Geographic distributions of meteorites in Antarctica were plotted. The Allende meteorite was analyzed with the electron microprobe method.

Marvin, U. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Guide to using lunar soil and simulants for experimentation

It is pointed out that lunar soil can be described as well-graded silty sands or sandy silts with an average particle size by weight in the range from 0.040 to 0.130 mm. The density of in situ bulk lunar soil is typically 1.4 to 1.9 g/cu cm. Changes in soil from moon to laboratory are considered along with some critical differences between simulants and lunar soil. Attention is given to agglutinates, iron metal distributed throughout the agglutinatic glass, solar wind hydrogen, and major lunar minerals (anorthite, pyroxene, ilmenite, olivine). The use of lunar fines as experimental samples is discussed, and the characteristics of simulants for experiments are examined, taking into account grain size distribution, particle type distribution, a highlands simulant, and a high titanium mare simulant. Simulants for testing equipment and structures are also described.

Allton, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Lunar granulites and their precursor anorthositic norites of the early lunar crust

Lunar granulities, which are ancient and KREEP-free, represent the best samples of early lunar crust. They can be divided into ferroan and magnesium groups, and each group can be subdivided on the basis of mineral composition and REE concentrations. It is shown that some of the granulites may be derived from distinct anorthitic norite precursors, while some others are clearly polymict, though it is believed that even these granulites had anorthositic norites as their dominant precursors. The granulites have compositions similar to those of the two lunar meteorites, one of which is ferroan, the other magnesian. These meteorites are soil breccias from an unknown location distant from the Apollo landing sites and contain anorthositic norites as abundant clasts. Granulite and lunar-meteorite compositions more closely resemble the average composition of lunar highlands than those of any other returned lunar samples. The predominance of plutonic anorthositic norite precursors in material having the composition typical of highlands suggests that plutonic anorthositic norites were more abundant in the early lunar crust than is implied by their scarcity in Apollo pristine rocks.

Lindstrom, M. M.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Deconvolution of spectra for intimate mixtures

Visible to near infrared reflectance spectra of macroscopic mixtures have been shown to be linear combinations of the reflections of the pure mineral components in the mixture. However, for microscopic mixtures the mixing systematics are in general nonlinear. The systematics may be linearized by conversion of reflectance to single scattering albedo (w), where the equations which relate reflectance to w depend on the method of data collection. Several proposed mixing models may be used to estimate mineral abundances from the reflectance spectra of intimate mixtures. These models are summarized and a revised model is presented. A noniterative (linear) least squares approach was used for curve fitting and the data, measured as bi-directional reflectance with incidence and emergence angles of 30 and 0 deg were converted to w by a simplified version of Hapke's equation for bi-directional reflectance. This model was tested with two mixture series composed of 45 to 75 micron particles: an anorthite-enstatite series and an olivine-magnetite series. The data indicate that the simplified Hapke's equation may be used to convolve reflectance spectra into mineral abundances if appropriate endmembers are known or derived from other techniques. For surfaces that contain a significant component of very low albedo material, a somewhat modified version of this technique will need to be developed. Since the abundances are calculated using a noniterative approach, the application of this method is especially efficient for large spectral data sets, such as those produced by mapping spectrometers.

Mustard, John F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Refractory minerals in interplanetary dust

A newly studied interplanetary dust particle contains a unique set of minerals that closely resembles assemblages in the refractory, calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions in carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. The set of minerals includes diopside, magnesium-aluminum spinel, anorthite, perovskite, and fassaite. Only fassaite has previously been identified in interplanetary dust particles. Diopside and spinel occur in complex symplectic intergrowths that may have formed by a reaction between condensed melilite and the solar nebula gas. The particle represents a new link between interplanetary dust particles and carbonaceous chondrites; however, the compositions of its two most abundant refractory phases, diopside and spinel, differ in detail from corresponding minerals in calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions.

Christoffersen, Roy↗

NASA NTRS1986

Identification of cosmogenic argon components in Allende by laser microprobe

New techniques are presented for using a laser microprobe to determine the spallation argon systematics of calcium-aluminum inclusions. The Ar-38(s) amounts determined for melilite and anorthite in a coarse-grained inclusion from Allende are 2.9 x 10 to the -8th and 1.3 x 10 to the -8th cc/g, respectively. The ratio of the amounts is consistent with the calcium contents of these two minerals. The Ar-38(s) amount determined for a fine-grained inclusion from Allende is 1.1 x 10 to the -8th cc/g. Calcium and potassium amounts were determined from irradiated samples of the same inclusions so that production of Ar-38 from calcium during the cosmic ray exposure of Allende could be determined for these samples. The production observed was 12.4 + or - 2.1 x 10 to the -8th cc STP Ar-38/g Ca for the coarse-grained inclusion and 9.9 + or - 2.4 cc STP Ar-38/g Ca for the fine-grained inclusion. No evidence of unusual exposure was observed in the two inclusions studied.

Kirschbaum, C.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Quantitative abundance estimates from bidirectional reflectance measurements

A simplified approach for estimating mineral abundances in mineral mixtures from bidirectional reflectance measurements is presented. Fundamental to this approach is a priori information concerning reflectance spectra of the individual minerals and an estimate of the particle sizes of the components. Simplified equations for bidirectional reflectance are used to linearize the systematics of spectral mixing. The method was used to determine the relative proportions of olivine, magnetite, enstatite, and anorthite in a mixture; the mass fractions of mixture components were calculated on the basis of known particle diameters. The results indicate that for materials without strongly adsorbing components, the accuracy of abundance determinations is better than 5 percent.

Mustard, John F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Alteration of Al-rich inclusions inside amoeboid olivine aggregates in the Allende meteorite

The primary phases of Al-rich inclusions in amoeboid olivine aggregates have undergone alteration reactions with the solar nebular gas. The simplest interpretation of the present observations is that melilite was the first primary phase to disappear with falling temperature, and was replaced by grossular + anorthite + feldspathoids, followed by fassaite; spinel was the last phase to be altered. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that Na-rich phlogopite could have formed at about 470 K and chlorite at about 328 K at a water fugacity of 0.000001, which is that of a gas of solar composition in this temperature range. The olivine around Al-rich inclusions is not serpentized, indicating the cessation of gas-solid equilibrium above 274 K.

Hashimoto, Akihiko↗

NASA NTRS1988

The origin of type C inclusions from carbonaceous chondrites

The origin of type C inclusions found in carbonaceous chondrites and the relationship of the type C inclusions to other Ca- and Al-rich chondrules are discussed on the basis of major-element composition of these objects. The results on bulk composition analysis of primary phase assemblages in eight Allende-type inclusions and an Allende glass-spinel inclusion were found to be consistent with the following scenario: (1) the condensation of melilite + spinel + perovskite +/- hibonite +/- CaAl4O7; (2) the reaction of melilite + spinel with SiO2(g); (3) the removal of inclusions from further interaction with the reacting gas; (4) melting with little or no volatilization; (5) crystallization; (6) alteration; and (7) incorporation of inclusions into host meteorite. Type C inclusions are considered to be precursors to Al-rich chondrules in ordinary and enstatite chondrites, i.e., they are considered to be a spinel-rich class of type A that reacted with silica from a coexisting gas to produce anorthite plus diopside.

Beckett, John R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Cordierite-spinel troctolite, a new magnesium-rich lithology from the lunar highlands

A clast of spineltroctolite containing 8 percent cordierite (Mg2,Al4Si5O18) has been identified among the constituents of Apollo 15 regolith breccia 15295. The cordierite and associated anorthite, forsteritic olivine, and pleonaste spinel represent a new, Mg-rich lunar highlands lithology that formed by metamorphism of an igneous spinel cumulate. The cordierite-forsterite pair in the assemblage is stable at a maximum pressure of 2.5 kilobars, equivalent to a depth of 50 kilometers, or 10 kilometers above the lunar crust-mantle boundary. The occurrence of the clast indicates that spinel cumulates are a more important constituent of the lower lunar crust than has been recognized. The rarity of cordierite-spinel troctolite among lunar rock samples suggests that it is excavated only by large impact events, such as the one that formed the adjacent Imbrium Basin.

Marvin, Ursula B.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Investigation of mechanical and thermal properties of microwave-sintered lunar simulant materials using 2.45 GHz radiation

The mechanical and thermal properties of lunar simulant material were investigated. An alternative method of examining thermal shock in microwave-sintered lunar samples was researched. A computer code was developed that models how the fracture toughness of a thermally shocked lunar simulant sample is related to the sample hardness as measured by a micro-hardness indentor apparatus. This technique enables much data to be gathered from a few samples. Several samples were sintered at different temperatures and for different times at the temperatures. The melting and recrystallization characteristics of a well-studied binary system were also investigated to see if the thermodynamic barrier for the nucleation of a crystalline phase may be affected by the presence of a microwave field. The system chosen was the albite (sodium alumino silicate) anorthite system (calcium alumino silicate). The results of these investigations are presented.

Meek, T. T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Lunar cement and lunar concrete

Results of a study to investigate methods of producing cements from lunar materials are presented. A chemical process and a differential volatilization process to enrich lime content in selected lunar materials were identified. One new cement made from lime and anorthite developed compressive strengths of 39 Mpa (5500 psi) for 1 inch paste cubes. The second, a hypothetical composition based on differential volatilization of basalt, formed a mineral glass which was activated with an alkaline additive. The 1 inch paste cubes, cured at 100C and 100 percent humidity, developed compressive strengths in excess of 49 Mpa (7100 psi). Also discussed are tests made with Apollo 16 lunar soil and an ongoing investigation of a proposed dry mix/steam injection procedure for casting concrete on the Moon.

Lin, T. D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Production of oxygen from lunar soil by molten salt electrolysis

A simple approach to utilizing lunar resources proposes to dissolve lunar soil, without or with little beneficiation, in a suitable molten salt and to electrolyze the oxides to oxygen and a metal byproduct. The envisioned process and the required technological advances are discussed. Promising electrolysis conditions have been identified in a recent experimental program to manufacture silicon and aluminum from anorthite.

Keller, Rudolf↗

NASA NTRS1991

Mining the air - Resources of other worlds may reduce mission costs

It is proposed that the mining of resources on another planet to support operations there and also to provide a means for the return trip to earth provides a less expensive way to send humans beyond low earth orbit to live on the moon and to explore Mars. Since a large fraction of any chemical propellant combination is the oxidizer that burns with the fuel to generate the rocket jet, and for life support, the generation of oxygen from any of its atmospheric or mineral compounds is a valuable capability. Such materials include the lunar minerals ilmenite and anorthite, Martian permafrost, water ice at the Martian poles, and atmospheric carbon dioxide on Mars. The possibilities of developing such technologies are discussed and the prospects of developing building materials for such facilities from local resources are considered. The role of the Space Engineering Research Center at the University of Arizona in exploring the use of local planetary resources is noted.

Ramohalli, Kumar↗

NASA NTRS1991

Numerical modeling of solidification and convection in a viscous pure binary eutectic system

The solidification and convection of the pure binary eutectic silicate system diopside-anorthite (Di-An) is numerically modeled. A mass-weighted enthalpy of fusion is used to account for the second solid phase (An) which crystallizes at the solidus temperature. Variable under-relaxation is used to aid convergence of the momentum equations in the implementation of the SIMPLER algorithm used to solve the two-dimensional continuum conservation equations. Numerical experiments of the solidification of Di80 melt show that a large temperature drop occurs across the solid and mush regions which decreases convective vigor in the liquid. Interesting compositional segregation patterns are produced during the solidification of Di80.

Oldenburg, Curtis M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Solubility and partitioning of Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe in minerals and synthetic basaltic melts

The solubilities of Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe gases were measured in natural samples of anorthite, diopside, forsterite, spinel, and synthetic basaltic melts, the samples which represent equilibrium pairs in the Fo-An-Di-SiO2 system. Results show that, in natural minerals, the solubilities of these gases increase with increasing atomic number. In contrast, the solubilities of noble gases in the synthetic basaltic melts decreased with increasing atomic number. The partition coefficients increased with increasing atomic number for all mineral/melt pairs.

Broadhurst, C. L.↗