月球表面多种金属元素的分布特征初探

美国的"克莱门汀"(Clementine)和"月球探测者"(Lunar Prospector)号月球探测器,分别于1994和1998年完成了对月球形貌、水冰以及月球重力和磁场等物理参数的高精度、高分辨率探测。月球探测者号还利用伽马射线仪探测了月表层中铁、钛、铀、钍和钾等元素含量分布,这为进一步研究月球的空间与表面环境,月球的地形、地貌、地层与地质构造,月表土壤与岩石的分布、成分与成因,月球物理场特征,月球的内部结构、演化与成因提供了大量的科学数据和证据。根据"克莱门汀"和"月球探测者"号测得的数据,对月球表面金属钛、铁、镁、铀、钍、钾的分布进行分析,初步研究了这些金属元素分布与月球地貌的关系,计算各金属元素之间空间分布的相关系数,分析蕴藏这些金属资源地区的岩性及各种元素可能的来源。由此推测30亿年前月球内部逐渐固化,大量小行星对月表岩石频繁的撞击导致金属元素分布不均衡,使金属元素在月球高原地带普遍含量低于月海,同时也形成了现在我们看到的遍布月表的环形山。

A preliminary analysis the distribution of metallic elements on the Lunar surface

A series of detections with higher precise and resolution than those of previous Lunar exploration missions,carried out by Clementine and Lunar Prospector missions in 1994 and 1998,provided the shape and topography of the moon,water-ice at the poles,the Lunar gravity,magnetic field,etc.Using Gamma-Ray Spectrometer loaded on Lunar Prospector,the map of the distribution of the element contents of iron,titanium,uranium,thorium and potassium on the Lunar surface has been obtained.These scientific data provide chances to understand issues such as the Lunar surface environment,terrain and geological formations,the soil and rock on the moon.This paper presents our comprehension on the distribution of titanium,iron,magnesium,uranium,thorium and potassium on the undulated surface of the moon.We calculate the correlative coefficient among elements distribution and discuss the relationship between distributions of metallic elements and Lunar topography.From the results,we presume the Lunar interior solidified 3 billion years ago,massive planetoids' strike caused the unevenly distribution of metallic elements,made the metallic abundance in the surface of Lunar highland lower than Lunar mare generally,and lead to the formation of craters on the Lunar surface.