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arXiv · 1305.6218

Mapping lunar surface chemistry: new prospects with the Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft x-ray Spectrometer (CLASS)

S. Narendranath·P. S. Athiray·P. Sreekumar·V. Radhakrishnaa·A. Tyagi·B. J. Kellett·the CLASS team
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Abstract

Surface chemistry of airless bodies in the solar system can be derived from remote x-ray spectral measurements from an orbiting spacecraft. X- rays from planetary surfaces are excited primarily by solar x-rays. Several experiments in the past have used this technique of x-ray fluorescence for deriving abundances of the major rock forming elements. The Chandrayaan- 2 orbiter carries an x-ray fluorescence experiment named CLASS that is designed based on results from its predecessor C1XS flown on Chandrayaan-1. We discuss the new aspects of lunar science that can be potentially achieved with CLASS.

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S. Narendranath, P. S. Athiray, P. Sreekumar, V. Radhakrishnaa, A. Tyagi, B. J. Kellett, the CLASS team. 2013-05-27. Mapping lunar surface chemistry: new prospects with the Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft x-ray Spectrometer (CLASS). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2013.04.008

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