The javascript on this page is used to preload the images for links and to swap the images used for links
go to content
layout image go to introduction
go to science datago to mission status reportgo to location / positiongo to 3d data mapsgo to moon VRMLgo to further reading 		layout image
Layout imagego to home
go to projectgo to resultsGo to datavisgo to historyGo to scienceGo to educationGo to archivesgo to resources


POTASSIUM MEASUREMENTS

Potassium is one of the ten elements being mapped by the Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS). Blue indicates low concentrations, and red indicates high concentrations. The GRS is especially sensitive to this light element. Potassium is one component of the composite material known as KREEP (K [Potassium], Rare Earth Elements, and P [Phosphorus]), a chemical tracer that helps us understand the moon's volcanic and impact history. The mapped distribution of KREEP has been used for mapping the three major lunar rock types (mare basalts, noritic rocks, and anorthositic rocks), as well as for providing insight into the excavation of deposition of KREEP during meteorite impacts. The distribution of potassium is closely associated with that of thorium. Consult that description for examples of new insights gained from the mapping of KREEP.

BACK TO 3D DATA MAPS