Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Mar 1990
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1990aipc..203..289s&link_type=abstract
Particle astrophysics. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 203, pp. 289-293 (1990).
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Cosmic Rays
Scientific paper
A passive, large-area experiment for the detection of cosmic ray actinides on the lunar surface is discussed. Due to the absence of a geomagnetic cutoff, a 100 m2 array of nuclear-track-detecting glass plates in 5 years will detect ~300-1000 U and Th cosmic ray nuclei of energies >~0.85 GeV/u (compared to the present world's total of 4 actinides). With a charge resolution at uranium of ~0.25e, the U/Th ratio can be accurately determined, thereby dating the r-process component of the cosmic rays; the presence of a fresh r-process component would be corroborated by the likely detection of transuranics as well. In addition, abundances in the Pt/Pb and sub-Pt/Pb regions and abundances of secondary actinides would provide detailed data on the 0-1 g/cm2 region of the cosmic ray path length distribution, hence on the astrophysical site of origin of these cosmic rays. Finally, should a fresh r-process component exist, the dection of postulated suerheavy nuclei is conceivable. With an analysis station at the Lunar Base, glass plates could periodically be harvested, analyzed, annealed/remelted, and replaced onto the lunar surface.
Buford Price P.
Salamon Michael H.
Tarle Greg
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