Cosmic-ray-produced gamma rays in planetary surfaces
A major priority of future NASA planetary missions is the determination of the elemental compositions of solar system objects. Gamma-ray spectroscopy will probably be used soon to determine the surface compositions of Mars and other solar system objects. Neutrons induced by the cosmic rays produce many of the important ..gamma..-ray lines that escape from planets. Some measurements of the ..gamma.. rays produced by neutrons and protons with various energies have recently been made. However, many more nuclear measurements are still needed to plan for and to interpret the results from future planetary missions. Excitation functions for the production of ..gamma..-ray lines by both neutrons and protons are needed in calculating the fluxes of ..gamma.. rays in and above a planet's surface. Thick-target irradiations with high-energy protons have simulated the production of ..gamma.. rays by the cosmic rays, and more simulations are planned. 8 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 5719480
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-85-1742; CONF-850507-26; ON: DE85012750
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BARYONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COSMIC NEUTRONS
COSMIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
HADRONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
RADIOACTIVATION
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
SPECTROSCOPY