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Lunar orbiter concept could reveal five key elements across moon in two years

X-ray telescopes on a satellite can map the Moon's surface chemistry in a few years
X-ray Fluorescence Imaging of the Moon. The team’s new compact and lightweight imaging unit can be installed on a long-term satellite mission. Their simulations show that a comprehensive map of the entire surface might be produced in a few years. Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan University

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have used simulations to show that a newly developed, compact X-ray telescope could be used to map the chemical composition of the entire lunar surface, a vital breakthrough for understanding its geological evolution. Detailed modeling of the detector and a realistic satellite mission show that two years would be enough to map five key elements, while an array of 5-by-5 detectors could improve resolution and get results faster.

The geological evolution of t...

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