To the Moon!
In preparation for future Moon missions, NASA scientists stored away small quantities of returned Apollo samples in special containment vessels for later analysis.These containment modules were devised to meticulously preserve fragile and transitory sample characteristics (e.g., solar wind volatiles, volatile coatings). Fifty years later, with advent of new and more sensitive analytical techniques, these vessels will be opened and the lunar core samples analyzed on our imaging XPS . UVa's NMCF will be part of that process, as Research Scientist Catherine Dukes, studies the volatile species deposited on the surfaces of volcanic pyroclastic grains found at different depths within the lunar core tube.
Research scientist Catherine Dukes inserts a sample using the vacuum transfer vessel into an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer to get a precise look at lunar material. (Photo by Chris Tyree)