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Specific heats of lunar surface materials from 90 to 350 degrees Kelvin

January 1, 1970

The specific heats of lunar samples 10057 and 10084 returned by the Apollo 11 mission have been measured between 90 and 350 degrees Kelvin by use of an adiabatic calorimeter. The samples are representative of type A vesicular basalt-like rocks and of finely divided lunar soil. The specific heat of these materials changes smoothly from about 0.06 calorie per gram per degree at 90 degrees Kelvin to about 0.2 calorie per gram per degree at 350 degrees Kelvin. The thermal parameter γ=(kpC-½ for the lunar surface will accordingly vary by a factor of about 2 between lunar noon and midnight.

Publication Year 1970
Title Specific heats of lunar surface materials from 90 to 350 degrees Kelvin
DOI 10.1126/science.167.3918.749
Authors R. A. Robie, B. S. Hemingway, W.H. Wilson
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Science
Index ID 70010431
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse