Sep 26 1970
From The Space Library
First published eyewitness account of lunar samples brought from Sea of Fertility by Soviet Luna XVI was given in Izvestia by B. Konovalov: Lunar dust turned greenish and some times reddish under direct light but in general looked like "dry mud." Later New York Times said Izvestia correspondent Konovalov had been permitted to observe lunar material at special Soviet Academy of Sciences laboratory in Moscow, where initial examination was taking place. Exact location of laboratory and names of top officials in Luna XVI program were being kept secret. Konovalov had reported container of samples had been placed in cylindrical stainless steel chamber with portholes. Pumps had sucked oxygen from chamber and sterilizing gas had been injected. Chamber had been filled with helium gas to prevent reaction with moon samples. Then container, which included moon rock and its electrical drill; had been opened for observation. Rock had been placed on steel trough containing scale divisions. Some material would be taken in special bags to other laboratories for examination. Konovalov's reference to lunar "dust" had been first use of term by Soviet journalist, New York Times said. Previous references had been to "lunar surface," "lunar ground," or "lunar rock." Soviet scientist Aleksey Turgarinov said on Moscow TV that lunar samples were blue and had been removed from hermetically sealed container in low vacuum and sterile conditions. Tass said rocks would be kept in quarantine and would be given to Soviet Academy of Sciences for special research program. Research results would be published. (W Post, 9/26170, A7; Gwertzman, NYT, 9/27/70, 12)
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