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

Detailed Reference Information
Hapke & Cassidy 1978
Hapke, B. and Cassidy, W. (1978). Is the moon really as smooth as a billiard Ball? Remarks concerning recent models of sputter-fractionation on the lunar surface. Geophysical Research Letters 5: doi: 10.1029/GL005i004p00297. issn: 0094-8276.

Two recent discussions of chemical and isotopic fractionation by solar wind sputtering (Pillinger et al., 1976; Switkowski et al., 1977) are not applicable to the moon because the authors have failed to include major surface. The complex reentrant micromorphology of lunar soil drastically affects sputter-fractionation because most of the sputtered species do not leave the moon, but strick surfaces which are partically shielded from further sputtering. At these sites fractionation is effectively controlled by desorption and angular sputtering effects rather than by sputtering yields. The Mass ratio of matter which has been sputter-deposited to that in the sputter-altered transition layers on individual grains exceeds 100:1.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
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