Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jun 1995
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995natur.375..383k&link_type=abstract
Nature, Volume 375, Issue 6530, pp. 383-385 (1995).
Computer Science
13
Scientific paper
ALTHOUGH lunar crystalline rocks are essentially devoid of nitrogen, the same is not true of the lunar regolith. The nitrogen contents of individual regolith samples (which can be as high as 0.012% by mass) correlate strongly with abundances of noble gases known to be implanted in the lunar surface by solar radiation, indicating that lunar regolith nitrogen is also predominantly of solar origin1. The large variability in 15N/14N ratios measured in different regolith samples may thus reflect long-term changes in the isotopic composition of the solar radiation1. But attempts to explain these variations have been hampered by the lack of any firm constraint on 15N/14N in the present solar wind. Here we report measurements of nitrogen isotopes from two lunar samples that have had simple (and relatively recent) exposure histories. We find that nitrogen implanted in the lunar surface during the past 105 to 5 x 107 years has a 15N/14N ratio approximately 40%o higher than that in the terrestrial atmosphere, which is substantially lower than most previous estimates2,3. This isotopic signature probably represents the best measure of 15N/14N in the present-day solar wind.
Kerridge John F.
Kim Jinyoung Serena
Kim Yup
Marti Kurt
No associations
LandOfFree
Nitrogen isotope abundances in the recent solar wind does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Nitrogen isotope abundances in the recent solar wind, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nitrogen isotope abundances in the recent solar wind will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-756831