Variations in the abundances of potassium and thorium on the surface of Mercury: Results from the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer

dc.contributor.authorPeplowski, Patrick N.
dc.contributor.authorLawrence, David J.
dc.contributor.authorRhodes, Edgar A.
dc.contributor.authorSprague, Ann L.
dc.contributor.authorMcCoy, Timothy J.
dc.contributor.authorDenevi, Brett W.
dc.contributor.authorEvans, Larry G.
dc.contributor.authorHead, James W.
dc.contributor.authorNittler, Larry R.
dc.contributor.authorSolomon, Sean C.
dc.contributor.authorStockstill-Cahill, Karen R.
dc.contributor.authorWeider, Shoshana Z.
dc.date.accessioned2013-04-22T18:26:17Z
dc.date.available2013-04-22T18:26:17Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractA technique for converting gamma-ray count rates measured by the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer on the MESSENGER spacecraft to spatially resolved maps of the gamma-ray emission from the surface of Mercury is utilized to map the surface distributions of the elements Si, O, and K over the planet's northern hemisphere. Conversion of the K gamma-ray count rates to elemental abundances on the surface reveals variations from 300 to 2400 ppm. A comparison of these abundances with models for the maximum surface temperature suggests the possibility that a temperature-related process is controlling the K abundances on the surface as well as providing K to the exosphere. The abundances of K and Th have been determined for several geologically distinct regions, including Mercury's northern smooth plains and the plains interior to the Caloris basin. The lack of a significant variation in the measured Th abundances suggests that there may be considerable variability in the K/Th abundance ratio over the mapped regions.
dc.identifier2169-9097
dc.identifier.citationPeplowski, Patrick N., Lawrence, David J., Rhodes, Edgar A., Sprague, Ann L., McCoy, Timothy J., Denevi, Brett W., Evans, Larry G., Head, James W., Nittler, Larry R., Solomon, Sean C., Stockstill-Cahill, Karen R., and Weider, Shoshana Z. 2012. "<a href="https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/20547">Variations in the abundances of potassium and thorium on the surface of Mercury: Results from the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer</a>." <em>Journal of Geophysical Research. E. Planets</em>, 117. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2012JE004141">https://doi.org/10.1029/2012JE004141</a>.
dc.identifier.issn2169-9097
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10088/20547
dc.publisherAmerican Geophysical Union
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Geophysical Research. E. Planets 117
dc.titleVariations in the abundances of potassium and thorium on the surface of Mercury: Results from the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer
dc.typearticle
sro.description.unitNMNH
sro.description.unitNH-Mineral Sciences
sro.identifier.doi10.1029/2012JE004141
sro.identifier.itemID113713
sro.identifier.refworksID69027
sro.identifier.urlhttps://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/20547
sro.publicationPlaceWashington; 2000 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 USA

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
min_Peplowski_et_al_2012_J_Geophys.Res.117_E00L04_27pp.pdf
Size:
4.19 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format