Dating Granites Using CODEX, with Application to In Situ Dating on the Moon

Levine, Jonathan; Scott Anderson, F.; Braden, Sarah; Fausch, Rico G.; Foster, Sean; Fowler, Gavin; Joy, Katherine H.; Osterman, Steven; Pernet-Fisher, John; Seddio, Stephen; Whitaker, Tom; Wurz, Peter; Yant, Marcella; Ee Yap, Teng (2023). Dating Granites Using CODEX, with Application to In Situ Dating on the Moon. The planetary science journal, 4(5), p. 92. IOP Publishing 10.3847/psj/accd6c

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We have measured 87Rb–87Sr isochron ages for two granites, using the breadboard version of our Chemistry, Organics, and Dating EXperiment (CODEX), a laser-ablation resonance-ionization mass spectrometer designed for in situ geochronology on the Moon or Mars. These measurements extend the demonstrated analytical capabilities of CODEX, and indicate the value of incorporating a flight-ready version of CODEX, now under construction, into a future mission payload. We used CODEX to obtain accurate ages for the 1700 Ma Boulder Creek Granite, with 1σ statistical precision of 110 Myr, and for the 1100 Ma Pikes Peak Granite, with 1σ statistical precision of 160 Myr. To provide an end-to-end illustration of how CODEX analysis of granites can address critical lunar science questions regarding rock age and composition in situ, we describe an example mission to the lunar Gruithuisen Domes. Gruithuisen Domes appear to be volcanic edifices of granitic composition. Orbital remote sensing suggests that granitic rocks represent only a small fraction of the lunar surface, and the mere fact of their existence on the Moon is a puzzle. CODEX determination of the timing and process of their formation, both presently ill-understood, would provide important constraints on the thermal and geochemical evolution of the lunar interior.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Physics Institute > Space Research and Planetary Sciences
08 Faculty of Science > Physics Institute

UniBE Contributor:

Fausch, Rico Georgio, Wurz, Peter

Subjects:

500 Science > 530 Physics
500 Science > 520 Astronomy
600 Technology > 620 Engineering

ISSN:

2632-3338

Publisher:

IOP Publishing

Language:

English

Submitter:

Dora Ursula Zimmerer

Date Deposited:

10 Aug 2023 11:10

Last Modified:

26 Nov 2023 14:40

Publisher DOI:

10.3847/psj/accd6c

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/185357

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/185357

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