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LUNAR NEWS No. 64 December 1999

In This Issue: Stepping Stones: The Lunar News Mission Statement 2 Preparing for the Phone Numbers 2 Future New Chief Scientist 2 see page 6

Curator's Comments 3

New Views of the II 4 Lunar

Meet the Staff! 5 's Mother Lode Astromaterials at JSC: Preparing for the Future 6 see page 13 New Educational Disks 7

"Not So Pristine" Samples Useful 14

Lunar Samples Curator Celebrates 11 15

How to Request Lunar Samples 16

Sample Request Deadline - Mar. 3, 2000 CAPTEM Meeting - Mar. 17-19, 2000

Lunar News 1 Lunar News Mission The purpose of "Lunar News" is to provide a newsletter forum for facts and opinions about lunar sample studies, lunar geoscience, and the significance of the Moon in solar system exploration. Editor's Notes "Lunar News" is published by the Planetary Missions and Materials Branch, Earth Science & Solar System Exploration Division, of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is sent free to all interested individuals. To be included on the mailing list, write to the address below. Please send to the same address any comments on "Lunar News" or suggestions for new articles.

Planetary Missions and Materials Branch Phone Numbers New

Lunar News Editor Chief Scientist Andrea Mosie ...... (281) 483-5769 Carl B. Agee is the new Chief Newsletter Design and Production Scientist for Astromaterials and Lisa Prejean ...... (281) 483-5125 Lunar Samples the Acting Astromaterials Gary Lofgren ...... (281) 483-6187 Curator at NASA Johnson Space Messages and General Information Center (JSC). His major areas of Suzanne Summers ...... (281) 483-5033 interest are origin and evolution Antarctic Meteorites of solar system bodies with Marilyn Lindstrom ...... (281) 483-5135 specific interests in Cosmic Dust and LDEF astromaterials, high pressure Mike Zolensky ...... (281) 483-5128 mineral and magma physics, Loan Agreements and Records Materials science, curation and Dale Browne ...... (281) 483-5132 quarantine of extraterrestrial Technical Operations Vacant ...... (281) 483-5331 samples, and experimental Contamination Control petrology. Dave Lindstrom ...... (281) 483-5012 Planetary Mission Science Payloads Carl received his B.A. with High Wendell Mendell ...... (281) 483-5064 Honors in Geology (1984) from Chuck Meyer ...... (281) 483-5133 the University of California at Eileen Stansbery ...... (281) 483-5540 Berkeley. His honors thesis was “Experimental biotization of hornblende.” Attending Colum- Mailing Address: SN2 Lunar Sample Curator, NASA bia University in New York City, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058-3696 USA NY, he received his M.A. Electronic Mail: gary.e.lofgren1@jsc..gov (1986), M.Phil. (1988), and his Ph.D. (1988) in Geological Sci- FAX: 281-483-5347 ences. His dissertation was titled

continued on page 3

2 Lunar News Curator's continued from page 2 “Experimental phase density Comments and mass balance constraints Gary Lofgren on early differentiation of chon- NASA JSC dritic mantle.” He served as a visiting scientist at Bayerisches Geoinstitut from 1988-1990, as a faculty member at Harvard University from 1990-1998 and is presently a Senior Staff mem- This has been a notable year ber at JSC. He Co-Chaired the that has seen the preparations Lunar and Planetary Science for the next sample return mission. These preparations include the first ever Conference in March 1999. Carl modification of the lunar facility. The new facility includes 2 class 10 clean has received the F.W. Clarke rooms that will be used to mount the sampling surfaces in the Genesis payload Medal, “For original research and then process the returned samples. These modifications have, however, on mantle differentiation,” the delayed the current round of lunar sample allocations and, for that, we John L. Loeb Associate Profes- apologize. Those allocations are nearly complete. sor Endowment, the Milton Fund Research Award from Requests for lunar samples for scientific study remain strong. We have sent Harvard University, and the P.H. out 312 samples from the last round of allocations in March. Requests for Hearst Distinguished Lecturer lunar samples have taken a new turn. As we look forward to the return of Award at U.C. in Berkeley. samples from Mars, many questions have arisen about how to maintain the organic cleanliness of these samples. One test of the process is to determine Carl has many professional how well we have maintained the organic cleanliness of existing lunar memberships. Some of them samples. We have allocated the first samples that will look at that issue. Note include the Geochemical Soci- that the next round of sample requests are due in Houston on the 3rd of March, 2000 for the CAPTEM meeting later that same . We are preparing ety, the AGU service (member lunar samples for long-term displays at the Western Australian Museum in of Mineral and Rock Physics Perth and the University of Colorado Heritage Center in Boulder. Because Committee 1996-2000) and the demand for educational samples remains strong, we have prepared Editor (Solid Earth and Planets) another 30 lunar disks, those plastic disks with several samples enclosed in for Geophysical Research Let- them, for use by the various NASA centers for distribution to schools. ters 1997-2000.

The second conference “New views of the Moon II, Understanding the Moon Carl can be contacted by e-mail Through the Integration of Diverse Datasets” took place in Flagstaff, at [email protected] or Arizona. This conference laid the groundwork for the analysis of the new by fax at 281-244-8892. data from the Prospector and Clementine Missions. Speaking of Prospector, the mission was completed July 31, 1999 with a final experiment, an attempt to record evidence for water vapor associated with the impact of the space craft near the south pole of the moon. The effort did not appear to be successful.

An basalt was presented to the White House for long term display by the Apollo 11 Crew, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Mike Collins on July 20th as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of the mission. As part of the 30th anniversary we have been busy in the laboratory showing off the moon rocks to the interested media who have been filming material for a number of programs. Many of these programs are more than news releases and you may see them on the more science oriented networks in the future.

Lunar News 3 New Views of the Moon II by Wendell Mendell NASA-JSC The planetary sample advisory and near infrared wavelengths. tent of the neutron data. For committee to NASA, CAPTEM, The detected ensemble of re- example, Feldman intended to has undertaken the Lunar Initia- flected photons have touched register global iron maps of the tive, a project designed to re- surfaces only two or three grains Moon derived from neutron data fresh and revitalize lunar sci- deep on the Moon. Therefore, with global iron maps derived ence studies. To this end, they while such data can be collected by Paul Lucey from spectral have sponsored two workshops from regions all over the planet, data. Pam Clark pointed out under the title, New Views of the information (like beauty) is (forcefully) that the two tech- the Moon. The second work- only skin-deep. In recent years, niques measure iron resident in shop was held in Flagstaff, AZ, remote observers have begun to different settings in the soil. In in late September, 1999. Its appreciate the effects of in-situ addition, a complete explana- theme was Understanding the surface coatings and surface al- tion of the calibration of the Moon Through the Integration terations on grains, which can Lucey algorithm revealed that of Diverse Datasets. produce changes in spectra that the spectral detection of iron in would come from samples of crystal lattice sites is not the The return of lunar samples by pure minerals in the laboratory. same as the bulk iron content of the Apollo missions catalyzed Sample scientists have been lunar soils used as the standard the creation of the discipline of wary of conclusions about lu- to interpret the spectral data planetary science, in general, nar geochemical evolution quantitatively. (The correlation and lunar science, in particular. based on such data. is actually better that one should At the early Lunar Science Con- expect.) Consequently, Feldman ferences, the sample investiga- At the Flagstaff workshop these learned that differences between tors were kings. A decade later, two subcultures of lunar sci- his maps and the Lucey maps the bloom of sample science ence engaged in a dialogue on could be information about the had begun to fade and new infu- the fundamentals of their re- state of the iron in the soils sions of information came from search and thereby promoted a rather than shortcomings of the remote sensing, largely from better understanding of the value neutron measurements. observers on the Earth. These and the limitations of their sci- new kids on the block inter- entific models. Thrown into the Other interesting results were preted their observations in geo- mix were a smattering of geo- the detection of a small lunar logic terminology but used tools physicists and Bill Feldman, the core by two widely disparate and techniques regarded with neutron spectrometer wizard techniques: analysis of gravity suspicion by the Old Ones. After from the Lunar Prospector team. data derived from tracking Lu- all, a rock in the hand is worth a nar Prospector and modeling of hundred at the end of a tele- To the eye of this reporter, one very long term laser ranging scope. of the most interesting aspects observations using Earth-based of the workshop was the educa- lasers to measure the distance to The bulk of the remote observa- tion of Feldman on the idiosyn- reflectors left on the Moon dur- tions come from the spectral cracies of the lunar regolith and ing Apollo. B. Ray Hawke de- analysis of sunlight reflected the education of the other par- termined that some crater rays from the lunar surface in visible ticipants on the information con- result from deposition of bright

4 Lunar News highland material in the ejecta while others are caused by stir- Students at Employee ring of local material by ejecta. Madison High The two types of rays are ex- pected to weather differently, School Get a Highlights raising questions about the va- lidity of using ray disappear- Glimpse of After mov- ance as a uniform age measure ing from in lunar stratigraphic classifica- the Moon New tion. Graham Ryder eloquently to Texas, pleaded for a rational and con- Alene sistent nomenclature for lunar At the invitation of Dr. Waltine Simmons rocks. No one knew how to do Bourgeois, an overview of Lu- began her that, so his plea was ignored. nar Sample Curation and “a career at JSC Finally, it became clear to all glimpse of the Moon” were in 1970 participants that the Moon is an given to the magnet class stu- working in the Curatorial Facil- exceedingly dents at Madison High School ity located in a trailer before the lumpy in Hous- Sample Control Center was planet. The ton, Mr. moved to Building 31. She has Warner incredibly worked with seven Lunar Ervin, Sample Curators and had seen deep South principal. Pole - Aitken numerous changes in the proce- Andrea dures for shipping and account- basin was Mosie, a ing of Lunar Samples that are found by the Senior Sci- sent to Principal Investigators. Clementine entist for Alene was employed with mission. Lockheed Andrea Mosie, far left, with several James Northrop Services (presently Now, Lunar Martin at Lockheed Martin acquired the Madison High School/Space & NASA Prospector’s Meteorology Program students. contract). In 1978, she trans- data reveal JSC, was ferred out of the Curatorial Fa- the Procellarum KREEP Ter- the speaker for this presenta- cility to take a Staff Assistant tion. During her presentation, rane, an enormous radioactive position. She returned to the Ms. Mosie exhibited laboratory “hot spot” in the northern hemi- Sample Information Center photos and distributed handouts again in 1992 on a half-time sphere. Added to the well pertaining to Planetary Sample basis. known nearside - farside di- Curation. She highlighted her chotomy, these new findings presentation with a viewing of Alene was born in Alamogordo, place a stake in the heart of an lunar sample dis- New Mexico to the parents, Reba spherically symmetric evolution play, sample 60135,0. Her pre- and the late Ivan Andrews. She models of our neighboring sentation was well received and is married to Don Simmons and planet. she has been invited to return to has one son Dwayne who is a share this informative and in- nurse at Methodist Hospital. The meeting was alive with bur- spiring presentation with up- geoning collaborations within coming classes. Alene’s knowledge of the and between the two scientific Curation processes, hard work, cultures. This series of work- and great effort is irreplaceable. shops is clearly breathing new life into lunar science. Now, we Hats off to Alene for a job well just need a few more samples...... done!

Lunar News 5 Stepping Stones: JSC Astromaterials Team Prepares for the Future

By Nicole Cloutier Reprinted from the July 30, 1999 JSC Roundup

Protected by more than 18 missions. Although the samples staff since 1968. inches of concrete and steel, a were collected more than 27 motion detector system and years ago, nearly 1,000 samples “It’s a rare find in itself,” said sound-build-up alarm quietly re- are distributed each year for Dr. Agee of the wealth of expe- sides the country’s moon, mete- continuing research and teach- rience among the astromaterials orite, and cosmic dust samples ing projects. team and the Planetary Sciences in JSC’s curation facility. But Branch of SN. After 8 years as inside those reinforced walls, an Earth and planetary sciences researchers and acclaimed sci- Improvements in research tech- professor at Harvard, Dr. Agee entists are piecing together the nology along with fresh theo- joined JSC Director George solar system’s history bit-by- ries from budding researchers Abbey’s senior staff in August bit, while preparing to make allow scientists to revisit unan- 1998 to lead the center’s some history of their own. swered questions and pursue astromaterials research and to new ones. prepare facilities for Mars “Being NASA’s home of extra- sample return. “The amount of terrestrial materials makes us a “Lunar sample research is not enthusiasm and involvement unique facility,” said Dr. Carl complete by any means — it is from colleagues here at JSC, all Agee, chief scientist for alive and well,” said Andrea working towards this common astromaterials. “But the contin- Mosie, a senior scientist for goal, all with lots of new ideas ued work here has prepared us Lockheed Martin at JSC. “People and approaches, makes for a for making history again — by sometimes visit the facility ex- very stimulating environment.” receiving the samples that will pecting to find a museum, but be brought back from Mars in it’s not. It is a working lab with The goal Dr. Agee refers to is 2008.” research continuing everyday.” NASA’s forthcoming missions to Mars for sample retrievals. A visitor’s scan across the JSC Mosie celebrated more than 24 campus would hardly suggest years with the facility in June Although sample return mis- that one of our national trea- and provides an invaluable “cor- sions aren’t planned to visit the sures is neatly tucked away in porate memory” for the center. Red Planet until 2003, and a Bldg. 31N. But there, the Lunar Others like her make up the second in 2005, discussions are Sample Laboratory Facility lunar sample team, which expe- already under way about facili- houses the more than 842 riences low turnover. Lunar ties needed to accommodate the pounds of lunar rocks, core sample processor Linda Watts samples once they arrive. samples and soils gathered dur- similarly is a 23-year veteran of ing six Apollo lunar landings, the team, and Dr. Gary Lofgren, Compared with the lunar sample plus a small amount (3/4 of a head curator for the Lunar facility, which is a model labo- pound) from unmanned Soviet Sample Facility, has been on ratory, Mars presents many new

6 Lunar News issues to contend with. C02 rich environment are other Thirty New facility issues still being consid- “The lunar facility has turned ered. Educational out to be a wonderful stepping- stone for preparing us for the The Mars samples will be coor- Disks Mars samples,” said Dr. Lofgren. dinated in two separate phases: “But the Mars samples will bring initial assessment, quarantine new challenges for clean room and analysis and then archiving, and laboratory processes, which curation and distribution. Soon, In October of 1998, thirty new is what we are working on now.” NASA will assess various sites lunar educational disks were for these projects, including produced under an agreement The lunar facilities, regarded as White Sands Test Facility, Ames with NASA Headquarters for a level 1000 clean room, re- Research Center and JSC. JSC’s distribution as requested to the quire researchers to gear up with experience with the lunar Educational Centers. full-coverage smocks (“bunny samples uniquely positions it as suits”), caps and gloves and a coordinating site for the Mars Andrea Mosie and Linda Watts undergo an “air shower” before samples, but it may be more worked many laboratory hours entering the ‘pristine’ labora- than a year before an official preparing the small samples of tory. The samples are addition- decision is made. basalt, breccia, anorthosite, ally contained in nitrogen-filled Highland soil, Mare soil, and glove box cabinets. Samples are Meanwhile, under the leader- orange soil for use in the new loaned out for external research, ship of team member Dr. Eileen educational disks. Andrea and but only about 10 percent of the Stansbery, construction is cur- Linda carried the prepared collection are considered com- rently under way in Bldg. 31N samples to Clear Float, Inc. in promised and are kept sepa- for a new facility for the Genesis rated from the ‘pristine’ samples project. Nearing completion in upon return. July, this facility is located di- rectly beneath the lunar lab and All of these barriers are designed will house specimens from the to protect the lunar samples from Genesis discovery mission. Earth oriented contaminants, but Genesis is a three-year mission Mars samples will need two- scheduled to depart in 2001. It way contamination control. will collect atoms from the sun’s radiation onto silicon, diamond, “We’ll be investigating the Mars aluminum, and gold wafers for Mike George / The Sun Chronicle samples for life forms and or- analysis in the new lab upon Tim Murphy, president of Clear Float ganic compounds,” said Dr. return to Earth. This research holds one of the educational discs Lofgren. “This requires a new will help understand our sun his company makes for NASA. process to handle quarantine and the chemical make up of and analysis, both to protect the our solar system. samples from Earth contami- South Attleboro, MA. Clear nants as well as protecting us “All of the projects and research Float, a family owned and oper- from any unknown contami- done at our astromaterials facil- ated company, does excellent nants the samples might con- ity are aimed at understanding encapsulation work. Mrs. Jessie tain.” our solar system,” explains Murphy owns the company and Lofgren. “We’re unraveling the her son, Tim, is the president. Reduced pressure, colder tem- stories of our universe piece by peratures, and mimicking of a piece.” The last of the previous 201 continued on page 15

Lunar News 7 Lab Tours

Above: Alan Ladwig, Assistant to the Above: Juanita Price, teacher; Clear Creek Chairman, and Lou Dobbs, Chairman of the Independent School District 8th grade Honor Board of space.com and Gary Lofgren Students from VITAL LIN Program; and Paula Thomas of Lockheed Martin

Above: 1999 Summer Teachers Group Above: 1999 ASCANS ( Candi- dates)

Above: Carl Agee; Dr. Paul Lucey, Univer- Above: Gary Lofgren; Jim Quick,USGS; sity of Hawaii at Manöa; and Gordon McKay and Gordon McKay

8 Lunar News Lab Tours

Above: 1999 JSC Summer Interns Above: Gary Lofgren with 1999 LPI Summer Interns

Above: Carl Agee; Dave Williams; and Above: Carl Agee; Reginald Beer (Robotics Chief Scientist, Kathie Olsen Specialist) and Kent Copeland of Oceaneering

Above: JSC Summer Co-ops and Interns Above: Ray Beiersdorfer, Summer Faculty, Youngstown State University; James Randi, James Randi Educational Foundation; and Gary Lofgren

Lunar News 9 Lab Tours

Above: Astronaut and Assistant Director of Above: Comedian Penn Jiliette, of Penn & University Research and Affairs, Bonnie Teller, and Andrea Mosie Dunbar, and Carl Agee

Above: 1999 National Research Fellows — Above: The Burkett-Lofgren family — Melissa Lane, Markus Landgraf, Lovely Larry, Alison, Melanie, and Rachel Burkett; Fotedar, Michael Kelley, Charley Adams, P.J. Burkett; and Gary Lofgren Dave Draper, Dimitri Xirouchakis, Alex Borisov, Takashi Mikochi, I-Ching Lin, and Tetsuya Kawata

Above: Cary Radoff, JSC PAO; White Above: Roberta Rudnick, Harvard University, House Liaison, Leslie C. Tagg; and Marilyn and Carl Agee Lindstrom

10 Lunar News Lab Tours

Above: Carl Agee; Eileen Hawley, PAO; Above: Anthony Desmond, PAO; Mrs. Nicole Cloutier, JSC Roundup; and Barbara Rothenberg; Jean Pierre Pritchard; Dougie Zelon, PAO Alexander; and Gary Lofgren

Above: Gordon McKay; Jill Banfield, Above: Noreen N. Khan; Feliciz Conley; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Gary Dave Draper; TSU Professor, Bobby Lofgren; and Carl Agee Wilson; Malinda Wilson; and Carl Agee

Above: Alene Simmons, Dwayne Simmons, Above: Malinda Wilson; TSU Professor, and Mary Brennan Bobby Wilson; and Carol Schwarz

Lunar News 11 Lab Tours

Above: Don Bogard, Carl Agee, Gary Above: Anthony Desmond, PAO; John & Lofgren, Carl Pilcher from NASA headquar- Margaret Ingless; Heather Lawson; Gary ters, and Gordon McKay Lofgren; and Alastair Campbell

Above: Andrea Mosie and José Alvarez Above: David Draper and Julianne DiChiro of Compaq, California

Above: Ms. Bennie Smith of Partner Above: Honorable Oliver Bateman, Former Alliance Operating Services with Astronaut Georgia State Senator; Ms. Edna Bateman, and Assistant Director of University Re- Student, Macon, GA; Gary Lofgren; Mr. Dan search and Affairs, Bonnie Dunbar Mitchell, retired Chief Pilot, Unocal Corp & Lifetime V.P. of HLS&R; and Mrs. Janette Zackery, wife of V.P. of Unocal Corp.

12 Lunar News Lunar Prospector's Mother Lode By John E. Gruener Hernandez Engineering

It’s been a little over four ence team began the Numerical sion is scheduled to be deliv- since the Lunar Prospector (LP) Reduction and Analysis of Lu- ered to PDS on Sep. 1, 2000. spacecraft was targeted into the nar Prospector Data Program. This will include level 2 data for lunar surface in one last hurrah This NASA-funded program the Gamma-ray spectrometer for lunar science. It was hoped will result in the delivery of (GRS) and Neutron Spectrom- that the impact into a perma- numerically reduced, higher eter (NS). For the GRS, equal nently shadowed crater near the level science data products of area (equivalent to 5° latitude moon’s south pole (now to be the LP mission to the Planetary by 5° longitude at the equator) named Shoemaker crater) might Data System (PDS). The PDS is maps of the absolute abun- produce an observable signal then responsible for dances of Th and K, proving that the hydrogen de- delivering the data and relative abun- tected earlier by LP’s neutron to the National dances of O, Si, Fe, spectrometer was in water-ice Space Science Data Ti, Al, Ca, and Mg form. Astronomical observa- Center (NSSDC). (mapped as the fol- tions of the impact were fo- Unfortunately, how- lowing ratios: Ti/Fe, cused primarily on using sensi- ever, due to budget Al/Fe, Ca/Fe, Si/Fe, tive spectrometers tuned to look shortcomings, not Ca/O, Si/O, and Mg/ for the ultraviolet emission lines all of the data ac- O) will be delivered. expected from the hydroxyl quired by LP will be For the NS, 5° x 5° (OH) molecules that should be a reduced in this pro- equal area maps of by-product of any water vapor gram. No data from the thermal, and dust kicked up by the crash the Alpha Particle epithermal, and fast of LP into the moon. Though Spectrometer (APS) neutron fluxes at 100 given less than a 10% chance of will be reduced, and magnetic km altitude will be delivered. success, LP’s science team, and data from the Magnetometer/ Fast neutron flux energy spec- indeed people all around the Electron Reflectometer (MAG/ tra between 0.5 and 8 MeV will world, held their breath at ER) will be not be reduced be- also be generated for each 09:52:02 GMT, July 31, 1999, yond level 2 (defined later in equivalent equatorial-area pixel. and waited for some observa- this article). The lunar gravity tory somewhere to say it saw data collected from LP is being Level 2 MAG/ER data, sched- something, anything, but noth- reduced separately at the Jet uled to be delivered Oct. 31, ing was detected. Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 2000 will consist of selected MAG time series lunar mag- So, the question of ice on the Below is a brief discussion of netic field data in selenocentric moon is still open and it will be Lunar Prospector’s higher level east, north, and radial coordi- up to future lunar missions to science data products and their nates (spacecraft event time, lati- resolve just what form the hy- scheduled delivery dates. A tude, longitude, and altitude are drogen concentrations are in. more detailed description can included in the data file). Also However, the assay of the be found in the Lunar Prospec- included will be ER time series ‘mother lode’ of science data tor Numerical Reduced Data of electron loss cone angles that was collected by Prospec- Management Plan. when the moon is in the geotail tor during its 18 months in lunar (but outside of the current sheet), orbit is only beginning. On The first delivery of higher level with an electron reflection coef- November 1, 1999, the LP sci- science data from the LP mis- ficient map binned at 5° x 5°

Lunar News 13 resolution, covering as much of the moon as the sampling al- “Not So Pristine” lows.

Level 3 data products, sched- Samples Useful By Judy Allton uled to be delivered June 30, 2001, will consist of 5° x 5° The wisdom of carefully curating all lunar samples, even those equal area maps of the absolute crumbs from equipment and dust from spacesuits, is paying off. abundances (along with their 1- Among the lunar collection are samples useful for distinguishing sigma uncertainties) for the ele- contamination resulting from surface sample collection from ments Th, K, U, Fe, Ti, Si, O, Al, curatorial sample handling. Ranging from the very clean to the Ca, and Mg. Also included will “not so clean,” are the following kinds of samples: be 5° x 5° equal area maps of H, Gd, and Sm abundances ( in 1) A clean sample, uncontaminated by and uncon- ppm by weight). taminated by curation: Samples extracted from the chemically pure dissection pass of a 4-cm diameter core meet this require- Level 4 data products, sched- ment. The ideal core sample is one which was returned to Earth uled to be delivered Oct. 31, in a sealed ALSRC and from a sample vial not further allocated 2001, will consist of 2° x 2° or handled since dissection. equal area maps of Th, K, and H 2) Sample exposed to minimal contamination by astronauts: abundances, as well as the ratio SESC (Space Environment Sample Containers – indium-sealed of Ti to Fe abundances. Also, cans). One SESC sample was opened and subdivided in the neutron data measured at all University of California at Berkeley organically clean cabinet. altitudes between about 15 and 3) A sample exposed to contamination during collection, but 150 km will be combined to little handled during curation: Fines from ALSRCs (rock boxes) estimate the subsurface (about and from Tote Bags or Sample Collection Bags (which were 5 cm below the surface) tem- returned outside of an ALSRC) are candidates, if samples are perature of the moon in each 5° selected based on minimal subsequent handling in laboratory. x 5° equal-area pixel element. 4) Lunar material expected to be heavily contaminated by surface activities and LRL processing: samples from vacuuming It should be stressed that the of space suits and freon rinsing of flight hardware. Numerical Reduction and 5) Material expected to be heavily contaminated from curation Analysis of Lunar Prospector handling: cabinet sweepings. Data Program is quite necessary 6) Sample especially handled for organic cleanliness: organic and has to be done so that LP’s reserve or University of California at Berkeley prepared samples. vast amount of data can be put 7) Sample uncontaminated by astronauts and with limited in a usable form for the lunar exposure to laboratory handling: band saw fines. science community at large. 8) Sample stored frozen. Hopefully, additional resources 9) Sample stored in air for extensive time (returned sample vault). will be found in the future to A band saw fines sample from category 7 may meet this require- enable the reduction of the al- ment, if stored for 20+ years. pha particle spectrometer data and further the analysis of the The Curators of the lunar sample collection are working to magnetometer/electron reflecto- establish a reference suite of samples for organic and bioanalyses. meter data. It would be an awful Complementary data obtained with an appropriate suite of ana- waste to spend such an effort lytical methods on the same samples will be informative. Firm and amount of time to collect sample numbers are not currently available. data important to lunar science and then do nothing with it.

14 Lunar News Lunar Sample Curator continued from page 7 lunar educational disks were prepared at Clear Float in 1979. Celebrates Apollo 11 All of the workers who had as- sisted previously with the lunar Anniversary in samples are no longer there ex- cept for Erna Gomez. She pre- Washington, D.C. By Linda Watts pared and packaged the com- pleted products for shipment to JSC. An Apollo 11 vesicular basalt Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, Charles was presented to President Lindbergh, Robert Goddard and With the competent help of Clear Clinton in the oval office for a . Float’s staff, Karen Owens and long-term display by the Apollo Chris Salvas, the process of pre- 11 Crew, Neil Armstrong, Buzz After the Air and Space Mu- paring the disks began. Andrea Aldrin and Mike Collins on July seum ceremony, Dr. Lofgren and Linda carefully placed each 20th as part of the 30th Anniver- entered the White House with sample into a mold that was sary celebration of the mission. the Apollo 11 crew. In the Oval partially filled with acrylic. Each Office the crew presented the sample mold was annotated as Dr. Gary Lofgren, Lunar Sample lunar sample display to Presi- to sample type and sample num- Curator, transported the display dent Clinton. The President was ber. Then, the samples were containing 10057,30 to Wash- reported to be enthused about covered with acrylic and placed ington, D.C. receiving the in an oven to cure. The six dif- He, with the sample on ferent singularly encapsulated display under behalf of the samples, disk number tags, and his constant White sample type tags were the placed protection, House. into the 6-inch molds using the accompanied same procedure as before. After the Apollo 11 Dr. Lofgren the disks were cured, they were crew to the had many in- polished to a fine finish by Clear 30th Anniver- teresting ex- Float’s Wayne Hazerty. sary cer- periences emony at the while accom- The trip was a pleasant experi- Air and Space panying the ence due to our Lockheed Mar- Museum. crew in tin secretary, Helen Klyng, Clear During this ceremony Vice Washington, DC. Float’s office manger, Cathy President Gore presented Lan- Gadoury, and all of the friendly gley Medals to each of the After the White House cer- and helpful people of Clear Float. Apollo 11 crew members. The emony, Buzz Aldrin flew to Chi- The wonderful scenery with the Langley Medal was instituted at cago for another anniversary trees in beautiful Fall colors also the suggestion of Alexander ceremony. He spoke at the dedi- added tremendously to the trip. Graham Bell to honor Samuel P. cation of The Chicago Tribune’s Langley. The Medal is awarded new Apollo 11 exhibit. The for “meritorious investigations central item in the exhibit is in connection with the science another long-term lunar sample of aerodromics and its applica- display provided by the Curator tion to aviation.” Previous re- and his staff. cipients include the Wright

Lunar News 15 Revised: February 1998 How to Request Lunar Samples

NASA policies define lunar samples B. The investigator submits a writ- tion of new analytical methodolo- as a limited national resource and ten request specifying the numbers, gies (not previously applied to lunar future heritage and require that types, and quantities of lunar samples samples) also should submit test data samples be released only for approved needed as well as the planned use of obtained for simulated lunar materi- applications in research, education, the samples. For planetary science als. New investigators who are not and public display. To meet that studies, the sample request should be familiar with lunar materials should responsibility, NASA carefully submitted directly to the Lunar consult Lunar Sourcebook: A User’s screens all sample requests with most Sample Curator at the following ad- Guide to the Moon (G. Heiken, D. of the review processes being focused dress: Vaniman, and B. M. French, Eds.; at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Cambridge University Press, 736 pp.; Individuals requesting a lunar sample Dr. Gary Lofgren 1991; ISBN 0-521-33444-6) as the should follow the steps given below SN2/Lunar Sample best available reference on the chemi- for the appropriate category of Curator cal and physical properties of lunar sample. NASA/Johnson Space Center materials. Houston, TX 77058-3696 Investigators with access to the World USA Wide Web on the Internet also can Telephone: (281) 483-6187 find updated information at the fol- 1. RESEARCH SAMPLES Fax: (281) 483-5347 lowing URL: http://www- (including thin sections) sn.jsc.nasa.gov/curator/curator.htm. For engineering and resource-utili- The home page cited above provides zation studies, the sample request links to sample databases and other information of use to sample request- NASA provides lunar rock, soil, and should be submitted to the Lunar ors. regolith-core samples for both de- Simulant Curator at the following structive and non-destructive analy- address: C. The Lunar Sample Curator will sis in pursuit of new scientific knowl- research the availability of the re- edge. Requests are considered for Dr. Douglas W. Ming quested samples and decide whether both basic studies in planetary sci- SN4/Lunar Simulant Curator a unilateral action can be taken or ence and applied studies in lunar NASA/Johnson Space Center an outside scientific review is re- materials beneficiation and resource Houston, TX 77058-3696 quired. Outside review is prescribed utilization. USA Telephone: (281) 483-5839 for all new investigators and for most established investigators except A. The sample investigator demon- Fax: (281) 483-5347 where returned (previously used) strates favorable scientific peer re- samples are being requested. For view of the proposed work involv- The Lunar Simulant Curator will as- outside review, the Curator forwards ing lunar samples. The required sure that all necessary demonstration the original request, with background peer review can be demonstrated in tests with simulated lunar materials information, to the Curation and either of two ways: (1) A formal have been satisfactorily completed. Analysis Planning Team for Extrater- research proposal recommended by Requests determined to be suffi- restrial Materials (CAPTEM), a stand- NASA's Lunar and Planetary Geo- ciently mature to warrant consider- ing committee of scientists who ad- sciences Review Panel (LPGRP) or ation for use of lunar materials will vise NASA on the care and use of an equivalent scientific peer-review then be forwarded to the Lunar Sample lunar samples. CAPTEM checks for panel, within the past three years; (2) Curator. favorable peer review (step A) and Submittal of reprints of scientific ar- For new investigators, tangible evi- appropriate sample selection (step B). ticles, as published in peer-reviewed dence of favorable peer review (step professional journals that directly A) should be attached to the sample D. Given CAPTEM endorsement pertain to the specific sample re- request. Each new investigator and concurrence by NASA Head- quested. should also submit a résumé. Investigators proposing the applica- quarters, the Lunar Sample Cura-

16 Lunar News tor will prepare a Lunar Sample details, prospective requestors should Loan Agreement for signature by contact the nearest NASA facility as the investigator’s institution. The follows: agreement includes a simple security plan that prescribes precautions to IF YOU LIVE IN: minimize prospects for theft or unau- Alaska Nevada thorized use of lunar samples. Arizona Oregon California Utah E. Upon receipt of the properly Hawaii Washington executed loan agreement, the Lu- Idaho Wyoming nar Sample Curator prepares the the should apply in Montana authorized samples and sends them writing to the following address: to the investigator. Quantities less NASA Teacher Resource Center than 10 grams can be sent directly by Mr. Boyd E. Mounce Mail Stop T12-A U. S. registered mail to domestic in- Lunar Sample Specialist NASA vestigators. Shipments to foreign AP4/Public Services Branch Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 investigators are sent by NASA/Johnson Space Center Phone: (415) 604-3574 U. S. diplomatic pouch mail to the Houston, TX 77058-3696 American embassy nearest the Telephone: (281) 483-8623 IF YOU LIVE IN: requestor’s location. Quantities larger Fax: (281) 483-4876 Connecticut New Hampshire than 10 grams must be hand-carried Delaware New Jersey by the investigator or his/her repre- Mr. Mounce will advise successful New York Maine sentative. applicants regarding provisions for Pennsylvania Maryland receipt, display, and return of the Rhode Island F. Continuation as a Lunar Sample samples. All loans will be preceded Vermont Investigator. An investigator's privi- by a signed loan agreement executed District of Columbia lege for retention and use of lunar between NASA and the requestor’s samples is contingent upon contin- organization. Mr. Mounce will coor- NASA Teacher Resource ued good standing with the Office of dinate the preparation of new display Laboratory the Curator. The investigator will samples with the Lunar Sample Cura- Mail Code 130.3 remain in good standing by fulfilling tor. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center the following obligations: (1) Main- Greenbelt, MD 20771-0001 tenance of, and adherence to, the Phone: (301) 286-8570 lunar sample loan agreement and se- curity plan; (2) Timely cooperation 3. EDUCATIONAL IF YOU LIVE IN: with annual lunar sample inventory; SAMPLES Colorado North Dakota (3) Timely cooperation with sample (disks and educational Kansas Oklahoma recalls. thin sections) Nebraska South Dakota New Mexico Texas A. Disks 2. PUBLIC DISPLAY NASA Teacher Resource Room SAMPLES Small samples of representative lu- nar rocks and soils, embedded in rug- Mail Code AP-4 ged acrylic disks suitable for class- NASA Johnson Space Center room use, are made available for short- Houston, TX 77058-3696 NASA provides for a limited number Phone: (281) 483-8696 of rock samples to be used for either term loan to qualified school teach- ers. Each teacher must become a short-term and long-term displays at IF YOU LIVE IN: museums, planetariums, expositions, certified user of the disks through a brief training program prior to receiv- Florida or professional events that are open Georgia to the public. Requests for such dis- ing a disk. Educational sample disks are distributed on a regional basis play samples are administratively Virgin Islands handled by the JSC Public Affairs from NASA field centers located Office (PAO). Requestors located in across the United States. For further

Lunar News 17 NASA Educators Resource 21000 Brookpark Road B. Thin Sections Laborarory Cleveland, OH 44135-3191 NASA prepared thin sections of rep- Mail Code ERL Phone: (216) 433-2017 resentative lunar rocks on rectangu- NASA lar 1 x 2-inch glass slides, with spe- Kennedy Space Center, FL IF YOU LIVE IN: cial safety frames, that are suitable for 32899-0001 Alabama Louisiana use in college and university courses Phone: (407) 867-4090 Arkansas Missouri in petrology and microscopic petrog- Iowa Tennessee raphy for advanced geology students. IF YOU LIVE IN: Each set of 12 slides is accompanied Kentucky NASA Teacher Resource Center by a sample disk (described above) North Carolina for Marshall Space Flight Center and teaching materials. The typical South Carolina U.S. Space and Rocket Center loan period is two , including Virginia P.O. Box 070015 round-trip shipping time. Each re- West Virginia Huntsville, AL 35807-7015 questor must apply in writing, on Phone: (205) 544-5812 college or university letterhead, to NASA Teacher Resource Center the following address: for IF YOU LIVE IN: Virginia Air and Space Center Mississippi SN2/Lunar Sample Curator 600 Settler's Landing Road NASA/Johnson Space Center Hampton, VA 23669-4033 NASA Teacher Resource Center Houston, TX 77058-3696 Phone: (804) 727-0900 x757 Building 1200 Telephone: (281) 483-6187 NASA John C. Stennis Space Fax: (281) 483-5347 IF YOU LIVE IN: Center llinois Minnesota , MS 39529- For each approved user, the Curator Indiana Ohio 6000 will prepare a loan agreement to be Michigan Wisconsin Phone: (601) 688-3338 executed between NASA and the requestor’s institution prior to ship- NASA Teacher Resource Center ment of the thin-section package. ❑ Mail Stop 8-1 NASA Lewis Research Center

18 Lunar News