Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mineralogy of Apollo 15415 “Genesis Rock” : Source of Anorthosite on Moon

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

PETROGRAPHIC, microprobe and X-ray data were obtained from thin section 15415,14 and 1–2 mm fines 15415,28, part of the anorthositic rock returned by Apollo 15. The section consists of ∼97% coarse (1–4 mm) plagioclase and ∼3% pyroxene associated with a trace of ilmenite. The pyroxene occurs as small (∼0.05 mm) blebs both within and between plagioclase grains; in addition, several larger (∼0.6 mm) pyroxene grains occur along boundaries. The fines consist of ∼98% plagioclase with the rest being glass spheres and soil particles. Electron microprobe analyses were made of ten plagioclase points and ten pyroxene grains using standard procedures1.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sweatman, T. R., and Long, J. V. P., J. Petrol., 10, 332 (1969).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Starkey, J., and Brown, W. L., Z. Krist., 120, 388 (1964).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Smith, J. V., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, Suppl. 2, 1, 143 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Wood, J. A., Dickey, jun., J. S., Marvin, U. B., and Powell, B. N., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, Suppl. 1, 1, 965 (1970).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Smith, J. V., Anderson, A. T., Newton, R. C., Olsen, E. J., and Wyllie, P. J., J. Geol., 78, 381 (1970).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wager, L. R., and Brown, G. M., Layered Igneous Rocks (Freeman, San Francisco, 1967).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Smith, J. V., Anderson, A. T., and Newton, R. C., final report prepared for NASA contract NAS 9–8086 (1971).

  8. O'Hara, M. J., Biggar, G. M., Richardson, S. W., Ford, C. E., and Jamieson, B. G., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, Suppl. 1, 1, 695 (1970).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637

    IAN M. STEELE & J. V. SMITH

Authors
  1. IAN M. STEELE
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. V. SMITH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

STEELE, I., SMITH, J. Mineralogy of Apollo 15415 “Genesis Rock” : Source of Anorthosite on Moon. Nature 234, 138–140 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/234138b0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/234138b0

  • Springer Nature Limited

This article is cited by

Search

Navigation