Mapping lunar surface chemistry: new prospects with the Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft x-ray Spectrometer (CLASS)

TL;DR

This paper discusses how the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft's CLASS instrument can advance lunar surface chemistry mapping through remote x-ray spectral measurements, building on previous lunar x-ray fluorescence techniques.

Contribution

It introduces the new CLASS instrument on Chandrayaan-2 and explores its potential to improve lunar surface chemistry analysis compared to earlier missions.

Findings

Potential for detailed lunar surface chemical mapping.

Enhanced spectral measurement capabilities.

Building on previous x-ray fluorescence experiments.

Abstract

Surface chemistry of airless bodies in the solar system can be derived from remote x-ray spectral measurements from an orbiting spacecraft. X- rays from planetary surfaces are excited primarily by solar x-rays. Several experiments in the past have used this technique of x-ray fluorescence for deriving abundances of the major rock forming elements. The Chandrayaan- 2 orbiter carries an x-ray fluorescence experiment named CLASS that is designed based on results from its predecessor C1XS flown on Chandrayaan-1. We discuss the new aspects of lunar science that can be potentially achieved with CLASS.