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posted 12-22-2003 02:20 PM               

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Hi everyone.

So a friend of mine has what she claims is a "moon rock". Although I am very skeptical, some information she gave me reagarding how the item was obtained is promising enough whereby I think it might be worth trying to authenticate it. Though I realize that this is likely not the real thing, I would like to find out for certain. How would someone go about attempting to authenticate such an object?

Any suggestions/information would be greatly appreciated!

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Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 12-22-2003 02:53 PM               

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If your friend had reason to believe the sample was an Apollo recovered moon rock, than she should contact the Astromaterials Laboratory at NASA Johnson Space Center for assistance:

Dr. Gary Lofgren
Lunar Sample Curator
NASA Johnson Space Center
2101 NASA Parkway
Houston, TX 77058-3696
Telephone: (281) 483-6187
Fax: (281) 483-5347
gary.e.lofgren1@.jsc.nasa.gov

http://www-curator.jsc.nasa.gov/

Before or while she does so however, I may be able to assist answering some questions, depending on the details of your friend's recollection. If interested, contact me directly at robert@collectspace.com

Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001

posted 12-22-2003 02:56 PM               

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If it was a sample that had at least part of its surface exposed on the lunar surface, under a microscope that surface will most likely show evidence of micrometeorite impacts. Of course terrestrial rocks would not show this, because micrometeorites never make it to the Earth's surface. There are other tests which involve elemental and isotope ratios, but these are destructive and expensive.

Years ago I sent a homemade microphotograph (i.e., you put the camera up to the microscope eyepiece and try not to scratch the camera lens) I made of a 0.7 mm diameter piece of dust stuck to the velcro glue on a cue card from Orion that I bought from Charlie Duke years ago. Duke said he thought it was moondust and I sent it to Bill Muehlberger, professor emeritus of geology at UT Austin and someone I had a small correspondence with at the time. He was head of geology for the Apollo 16 and 17 missions. The largest rock ever returned from the Moon was named "Big Muley" in his honor. He told me he thought from my photograph I sent that it was moondust. I named it "Little Muley" in his honor. He liked that.

Posts: 72
From: Yacolt WA USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-22-2003 02:59 PM               

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Hello,
Just a thought, often at Science stores, Tektites are sold as "Moon Rocks". Different theories abound on these, but there are many great pages and photos for comparison on the web about this subject.

Regards,

Sheila

Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002