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LRO's LAMP Ultraviolet Spectrograph Observes Mercury and Hydrogen in GRAIL Impact Plumes

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has been orbiting the moon since 2009, collecting data and images of the lunar surface. One of its instruments, the Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) ultraviolet spectrograph, has recently made an interesting discovery. LAMP has observed mercury and hydrogen in the impact plumes created by the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft when they intentionally crashed into the moon's surface in 2012. This discovery has important implications for our understanding of the moon's composition and history.

The LRO and LAMP

Before we dive into the discovery, let's take a closer look at the LRO and LAMP. The LRO is a NASA spacecraft that was launched in 2009 with the goal of mapping the moon's surface and environment. It carries a suite of instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and radar, that allow it to collect a wide range of data about the moon. One of these instruments is the LAMP ultraviolet spectrograph.

The LAMP instrument works by detecting ultraviolet light emitted by atoms and molecules on the moon's surface. This light can tell us a lot about the composition of the moon's surface and atmosphere. For example, different elements and compounds emit light at different wavelengths, so by analyzing the spectrum of the light, scientists can identify what's present on the moon.

The GRAIL Impact Plumes

In 2012, NASA intentionally crashed two spacecraft, GRAIL-A and GRAIL-B, into the moon's surface. The goal of this mission was to study the moon's interior structure by measuring the gravitational field created by the impact. As the spacecraft crashed into the moon, they created plumes of material that were ejected into space. These plumes contained a mix of material from the spacecraft and the moon's surface.

Mercury and Hydrogen in the Plumes

Using the LAMP instrument, scientists were able to observe the plumes created by the GRAIL impacts. They found that the plumes contained both mercury and hydrogen. Mercury is a relatively rare element on the moon, so its presence in the plumes was unexpected. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is more common on the moon, but its presence in the plumes was still significant.

The presence of mercury and hydrogen in the plumes has important implications for our understanding of the moon's composition and history. Mercury is thought to have been delivered to the moon by comets or asteroids, so its presence in the plumes suggests that the moon has been bombarded by these objects in the past. Hydrogen, meanwhile, is thought to be present in the moon's interior, so its presence in the plumes could provide clues about the moon's internal structure.

What's Next?

The discovery of mercury and hydrogen in the GRAIL impact plumes is just the beginning. Scientists will continue to analyze the data collected by the LRO and other spacecraft to learn more about the moon's composition and history. This information will help us better understand the formation and evolution of not just the moon, but the entire solar system.

Conclusion

The LRO's LAMP ultraviolet spectrograph has made an interesting discovery about the moon's composition. By observing the impact plumes created by the GRAIL spacecraft, LAMP was able to detect the presence of mercury and hydrogen. This discovery has important implications for our understanding of the moon's history and formation. As we continue to study the moon and other celestial bodies, we will undoubtedly make more discoveries that will deepen our understanding of the universe.

FAQs

1. What is the LRO?

The LRO is a NASA spacecraft that has been orbiting the moon since 2009. It carries a suite of instruments that allow it to collect data and images of the lunar surface and environment.

2. What is the LAMP instrument?

The LAMP instrument is an ultraviolet spectrograph carried by the LRO. It works by detecting ultraviolet light emitted by atoms and molecules on the moon's surface.

3. What were the GRAIL spacecraft?

The GRAIL spacecraft were two NASA spacecraft that were intentionally crashed into the moon's surface in 2012. The goal of the mission was to study the moon's interior structure.

4. Why is the discovery of mercury and hydrogen in the GRAIL impact plumes significant?

The presence of mercury and hydrogen in the plumes has important implications for our understanding of the moon's composition and history. It suggests that the moon has been bombarded by comets and asteroids in the past and could provide clues about the moon's internal structure.

5. What will scientists do next?

Scientists will continue to analyze the data collected by the LRO and other spacecraft to learn more about the moon's composition and history. This information will help us better understand the formation and evolution of the solar system.

This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.

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