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Indigenous Lunar Methane and Ethane

Nature volume 226, pages 251–252 (1970)Cite this article

Abstract

RECENT analyses1,2 of Apollo 11 lunar samples have shown that CH4 (up to 6 µg g−1) and other gaseous hydrocarbons, ranging from C2 to C4, are released on treatment of the fines with aqueous HCl, H3PO4 or HF. It was uncertain whether these hydrocarbons were formed by acid hydrolysis or were present as such. We have now shown that methane and ethane arise from both sources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol,

    P. I. ABELL, G. EGLINTON, J. R. MAXWELL & C. T. PILLINGER

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Indiana,

    J. M. HAYES

Authors
  1. P. I. ABELL
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  2. G. EGLINTON
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  3. J. R. MAXWELL
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  4. C. T. PILLINGER
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  5. J. M. HAYES
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ABELL, P., EGLINTON, G., MAXWELL, J. et al. Indigenous Lunar Methane and Ethane. Nature 226, 251–252 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/226251b0

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