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Lunar rock compositions and some interpretations

January 1, 1970

Samples of igneous "gabbro," "basalt," and lunar regolith have compositions fundamentally different from all meteorites and terrestrial basalts. The lunar rocks are anhydrous and without ferric iron. Amounts of titanium as high as 7 weight percent suggest either extreme fractionation of lunar rocks or an unexpected solar abundance of titanium. The differences in compositions of the known, more "primitive" rocks in the planetary system indicate the complexities inherent in defining the solar abundances of elements and the initial compositions of the earth and moon.

Publication Year 1970
Title Lunar rock compositions and some interpretations
Authors A.E.J. Engel, C.G. Engel
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science
Index ID 70010087
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse