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Lunar Surface Cosmic Ray

NSSDC ID: 1972-096C-12
Mission Name: Apollo 17 Lunar Module / ALSEP
Principal Investigator: Dr. Robert M. Walker

Description

This lunar surface cosmic ray experiment had the following objectives -- (1) to measure flux of solar wind particles with atomic number Z > 26 using mica detectors, (2) to determine the flux of light rare gas solar wind ions using metal foils, (3) to measure the flux of low energy particles in space, both solar and galactic, during quiet sun conditions using plastic, glass, and mica detectors, and (4) to determine the radon concentration in the lunar atmosphere using mica detectors. These detectors were hung from the LM, a portion of them in the shade of the LM with the detectors pointed out toward space and the rest in the direct sunlight. All detectors were brought back to earth for analyses of the particle tracks. The total exposure time was 45 1/2 hrs, and the detectors were sensitive to charged particles from about 1 keV/nuc to several MeV/nuc.

Funding Agency

  • NASA-Office of Manned Space Flight (United States)

Discipline

  • Space Physics: Heliospheric Studies

Additional Information

Questions or comments about this experiment can be directed to:

Selected References

Woods, R. T., et al., Apollo 17 cosmic ray experiment, part B - Quiet time energy spectra of heavy nuclei from 20 to 400 keV/amu, Apollo 17 Preliminary Science Report, NASA SP-330, 19-11 to 19-15, Washington, D.C., 1973

Price, P. B., and J. H. Chan, Cosmic Ray Experiment - Part C - The nature of interplanetary heavy ions with 0.1 < E < 40 MeV/nucleon, Apollo 17 Preliminary Science Report, NASA SP-330, 19-15, Washington, D.C., 1973

Walker, R. M., et al., Cosmic Ray Experiment - Part A, Measurements of heavy solar wind and higher energy solar particles during the Apollo 17 mission, In -- Apollo 17 Prelim. Sci. Rept., NASA SP-330, Wash., DC, 1973.

Image of the Lunar Surface Cosmic Ray instrumentation

Lunar Surface Cosmic Ray

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