INFRARED REFLECTANCE SPECTRA (4-12-MU-M) OF TYPICAL LUNAR-SAMPLES

A laboratory study of the mid-infrared spectral reflectance properties of typical Apollo lunar rock and soil samples was conducted using a modern interferometric spectrometer. The results show that characteristic spectral features exist in the 4-12 micrometer range that are diagnostic of rock composition and mineralogy, especially for the plagioclase-rich rocks and soils. This is the first phase of a comprehensive infrared reflectance study underway to better understand the use of infrared emission spectroscopy for mapping the surface composition of the Moon and other silicate bodies.