ANALYSIS OF THE MOON'S SURFACE BY NUCLEAR REACTIONS,
Abstract
Several methods of determining the elemental composition of the moon's surface are discussed, assuming an un-manned, non-destructive lunar landing. The general approach considers bombardment of the surface with various nuclear beams and examines the possible nuclear reactions which are known to be dependent on the mass, charge or energy level structure of the irradiated material. The resultant radiations are sought which can be detected with little-or-no loss or distortion of the information which they contain. Various detectors and accelerators as well as lunar and interplanetary backgrounds are also considered. Detection and pulse height analysis of gamma rays produced by the bombarding beam is the method of greatest promise. Two separate experimental designs, one involving an incident 14 Mev neutron beam, and the other involving an incident 14 Mev proton beam, are discussed in detail.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 05, 1960
- Accession Number
- AD0605988
Entities
People
- Carlton D. Schrader
- E. F. Martina
Organizations
- TRW Inc.