The Reliability of Macroscopic Identification of Lunar Coarse Fines Particles and the Petrogenesis of 2-4 mm Particles in Apennine Front Sample 15243

Abstract

Coarse-fines particles are useful for understanding the nature of the Moon and will probably be returned by future unmanned sample missions to other planetary bodies. The preliminary description of these particles is an essential part of the efficient study of such particles, ensuring that material is not inappropriately allocated or consumed. To check the present reliability of initial macroscopic identifications of lunar coarse-fines (2-4 mm) particles, we studied particles from 15243 sequentially using macroscopic, neutron activation, and petrographic methods. 15243 is from Station 6 on the Apennine Front and was expected to contain a variety of rock types.