HR: 09:45h
AN: P11A-08    [PDF]
TI: The D-CIXS X-Ray Spectrometer, And Its Capabilities For Lunar Science
AU: * Grande, M
EM: m.grande@rl.ac.uk
AF: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot,, Oxforshire, OX11 0QX United Kingdom
AB: The purpose of the D-CIXS (Demonstration of a Compact Imaging X-ray Spectrometer) instrument recently launched on the ESA SMART-1 mission is to provide high quality spectroscopic mapping of the Moon by imaging fluorescence X-rays emitted from the lunar surface. In order to obtain adequate statistics for what can be very weak sources, it is essential to have a large effective area, while maintaining a low mass. The solution is to make a thin, low profile detector. D-CIXS can derive 42 km spatial resolution images of the lunar surface from a spacecraft at 300 km altitude with a spectral resolution of 200 eV or better. The instrument is based around the use of advanced dual microstructure collimator and Swept Charge Device X-ray detector technologies. D-CIXS will provide the first global map of the Moon in X-rays. During normal solar conditions, it will be able to detect absolute elemental abundances of Fe, Mg, Al and Si on the lunar surface, using the on-board solar monitor to obtain a continuous measurement of the input solar spectrum. During solar flare events, it will also be possible to detect other elements such as Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, K, P and Na.The global mapping of Mg, Al and Si, and in particular deriving Mg\#, the magnesium number (MgO/[MgO+FeO]), represents the prime goal of the D-CIXS experiment. This data will represent an important new data set for Lunar science
UR: http://www.ssd.rl.ac.uk/SMART-1/
DE: 5410 Composition
DE: 5464 Remote sensing
DE: 5470 Surface materials and properties
DE: 5494 Instruments and techniques
DE: 6250 Moon (1221)
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting