Citation: | LiangQuan Ge, JianKun Zhao, QingXian Zhang, YaoYao Luo, Yi Gu. 2018: Mapping of the lunar surface by average atomic number based on positron annihilation radiation from Chang’e-1. Earth and Planetary Physics, 2(3): 238-246. DOI: 10.26464/epp2018023 |
A map of the average atomic number of lunar rock and soil can be used to differentiate lithology and soil type on the lunar surface. This paper establishes a linear relationship between the average atomic number of lunar rock or soil and the flux of position annihilation radiation (0.512-MeV gamma-ray) from the lunar surface. The relationship is confirmed by Monte Carlo simulation with data from lunar rock or soil samples collected by Luna (Russia) and Apollo (USA) missions. A map of the average atomic number of the lunar rock and soil on the lunar surface has been derived from the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer data collected by Chang’e-1, an unmanned Chinese lunar-orbiting spacecraft. In the map, the higher average atomic numbers (