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Measurements of radon concentrations in the lunar atmosphere

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7077237
The radon concentrations in the lunar atmosphere were determined by measuring the Po-210 progeny activity in artifacts returned from the moon. Experiments performed on a section of the polished aluminum strut from Surveyor 3 and data obtained from the Apollo 16 Cosmic Ray Detector Experiment Teflon thermal shield are compared with other values of the lunar radon concentration obtained at different times and different locations and by various techniques. Possible sources and release mechanisms compatible with all of the data are discussed. An experimental procedure to determine the relative retention coefficients of various types of material for radon progeny in a simulated lunar environment is described. The results of several experiments are given, and their effect on lunar radon progeny measurements is discussed. An analytical procedure is given for the analysis of a Teflon matrix for trace constituents.
Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
OSTI ID:
7077237
Report Number(s):
N-77-22035; NASA-CR-151327; BN-SA-723
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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