Estimated solar wind-implanted helium-3 distribution on the Moon
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Among the solar wind-implanted volatiles present in the lunar regolith, ³He is possibly the most valuable resource because of its potential as a fusion fuel. The abundance of ³He in the lunar regolith at a given location depends on surface maturity, the amount of solar wind fluence, and titanium content, because ilmenite (FeTiO3) retains helium much better than other major lunar minerals. Surface maturity and TiO2 maps from Clementine multispectral data sets are combined here with a solar wind fluence model to produce a ³He abundance map of the Moon. Comparison of the predicted ³He values to landing site observations shows good correlation. The highest ³He abundances occur in the farside maria (due to greater solar wind fluence received) and in higher TiO2 nearside mare regions.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Estimated solar wind-implanted helium-3 distribution on the Moon |
| Series title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1029/1998GL900305 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1999 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Description | 4 p. |
| First page | 385 |
| Last page | 388 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |