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Science 27 March 1970:
Vol. 167. no. 3926, pp. 1722 - 1724
DOI: 10.1126/science.167.3926.1722
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Articles

Alpha Radioactivity of the Lunar Surface at the Landing Sites of Surveyors 5,6, and 7

Anthony L. Turkevich 1, James H. Patterson 2, Ernest J. Franzgrote 3, Kenneth P. Sowinski 4, and Thanasis E. Economou 4

1 Enrico Fermi Institute and Chemistry Department, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637
2 Chemistry Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439
3 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 91103
4 Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago

Evidence has been obtained for a radioactive deposit on the lunar surface at Mare Tranquillitatis with a total intensity of 0.09 ± 0.03 alpha disintegration per second per square centimeter. The presence of polonium-210 in amounts that are close to equilibrium indicates a continuous turnover rate of lunar material at this site of less than 0.1 micrometer per year. The lack of such a deposit at two other lunar sites suggests lower local concentrations of uranium there.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Detection of a Nonuniform Distribution of Polonium-210 on the Moon with the Apollo 16 Alpha Particle Spectrometer.
P. Bjorkholm, P. Bjorkholm, L. Golub, and P. Gorenstein (1973)
Science 180, 957-959
   Abstract »    PDF »
Detection of Radon Emanation from the Crater Aristarchus by the Apollo 15 Alpha Particle Spectrometer.
P. Gorenstein, P. Gorenstein, and P. Bjorkholm (1973)
Science 179, 792-794
   Abstract »    PDF »
Ultrathin Amorphous Coatings on Lunar Dust Grains.
J. P. Bibring, J. P. Bibring, J. P. Duraud, L. Durrieu, C. Jouret, M. Maurette, and R. Meunier (1972)
Science 175, 753-755
   Abstract »    PDF »
Surface-Related Mercury in Lunar Samples.
G. W. Reed, G. W. Reed, J. A. Goleb, and S. Jovanovic (1971)
Science 172, 258-261
   Abstract »    PDF »
Chemical Composition of the Lunar Surface in a Terra Region near the Crater Tycho.
J. H. Patterson, J. H. Patterson, A. L. Turkevich, E. J. Franzgrote, T. E. Economou, and K. P. Sowinski (1970)
Science 168, 825-828
   Abstract »    PDF »


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