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

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.

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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

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