Feb 23 1970
From The Space Library
At annual meeting of American Chemical Society in Houston, Tex., Univ. of Chicago lunar chemist Dr. Anthony Turkevich described lunar highlands as "comparable to the continents of earth, floating like icebergs on a more dense medium of deeper rocks." Only chemical basis of comparison between lunar plains and highlands had been provided by Turkevich-designed experiment flown on Surveyor mission to highland region near crater Tycho. Compared with Apollo 11 lunar sample data, experiment data proved plains were darker and denser than highlands because they contained twice the abundance of elements heavier than calcium. Moon's chemical content also showed "evidence for a crust on the moon." Dr. John A. Wood of Smithsonian Astophysical Observatory presented corroborating evidence based on traces of highland material in Apollo 11 samples. He explained meteoroid impact at nearby highland area might have showered lighter-colored material-anorthosite-on plain where Apollo 11 landed. Anorthositic crust, formed by melting, probably covered moon at one time. Then giant craters, which became plains, were blasted into crust by early impacts and lavas from beneath surface welled into holes and solidified. Dr. Wood estimated depth of crust at 24 km (15 mi), but other scientists were skeptical. In interview following meeting, Cal Tech chemist Dr. Gerald J. Wasserburg said crust was thin "like the skin of an onion." (Wilford, NYT, 2/24/70, 25)
Orbiting Nimbus III successfully located elk Monique, fitted Feb. 19 with electronic collar containing transmitter. (SBD, 2/26/70, 254)
Apollo 12 astronauts began goodwill tour of Europe with one-day visit to Lisbon, Portugal. (NYT, 2/24/70)
Japan's space goals were described in Aviation Week & Space Technology: "Japan is redirecting the orientation of its national space program with the ambitious goal of placing a series of advanced satellites into orbit by the mid-1970s." Plans provided for variety of payloads, including comsats, navigation, and geodetic satellite packages. "If successful, and if the funding to support it is forthcoming, [Japan's] satellite and booster technology will outstrip that of the older programs of western Europe, placing Japan third in line behind the U.S. and the Soviet Union." (Brownlow, Av Wk, 2/23/ 70,75-85)
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