EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Wieler et al. 1983
Wieler, R., Etique, P., Signer, P. and Poupeau, G. (1983). Decrease of the solar flare/solar wind flux ratio in the past several aeons deduced from solar neon and tracks in lunar soil plagioclases. Journal of Geophysical Research 88: doi: 10.1029/JS088iS01p0A713. issn: 0148-0227.

We determined the He, Ne, and Ar concentrations and isotopic compositions of mineral separates of six lunar subsurface samples and of two regolith breccias which were exposed to the sun as early as 2-3 b. y. ago. The results are compared with our noble gas data obtained previously on mineral separates of lunar surface soil samples most of which contain recently implanted solar gases. The mean solar flare track densities were determined on aliquots of several of the plagioclase separates analyzed for noble gases. Solar wind retentive mafic minerals and ilmenites show that a possible secular increase of the 20Ne/22Ne ratio in the solar wind during the last 2-3 Ga is <2%. In plagioclases, which are less retentive for solar wind Ne, a considerable fraction of the retained Ne is of solar flare origin. The data are compatible with values for 20Ne/22Ne of ~11.3-11.8, reported for solar flare Ne retained in plagioclase separates from lunar soils. The solar flare track data and the Ne data independently show that plagioclases exposed to the sun over the last 108 years recorded a lower mean ratio of solar flare to solar wind intensities than samples exposed about 1-3 b.y. ago. On the basis of track data we estimate these ratios to differ by a factor ~2.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit