Overview
XeMoon's project overall aim is to increment our understanding on how Xe and Ar (primordial and radiogenic) released from the Moon's interior via volcanic activity and added by bolides that impacted with the Moon is transported through the lunar exosphere and either lost to space or trapped back into rocks at the lunar surface.
To do this, as a NASA-sample PI , I study different types of lunar rocks collected by Apollo missions to enable assessing their different components Xe and Ar isotopic, and whether they are sources or sinks of Xe and Ar.
For complete interpretation of the Xe and Ar isotopic data, samples are also their mineral composition (major, minor and trace elements), mineral volume percent is assessed, and their age determined by the 40Ar/39Ar technique.
An astronaut on the Moon's surface during the Apollo 15 missions. Click on the image to learn more. Photo Credit: NASA