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Micro Computed Tomography as an Enhancement Tool in the Curation of Apollo and Meteorite Samples


Oct. 8, 2015, noon - 12:50 p.m.
Geology 4677

Presented By:
Ryan Zeigler
NASA Johnson Space Center

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Micro computed tomography (micro-CT) is now beginning to be utilized as a basic part of the curation process for meteorites and Apollo samples at Johnson Space Center. Initial scans have shown that we are able to readily identify diverse lithic clasts within polymict samples and use the scans as a guide to most efficiently subdivide the breccias to extract the lithic clasts, which will then made available to scientists for scientific studies. Moreover, we have been able to use the scans to identify the textures within lithic clasts, locate rare or sought after minerals within samples, and identify fractures or other weaknesses within the samples (which aids in extraction of clasts). Additionally, micro-CT can be used to extract purely scientific information, such as large-scale porosity, on large Apollo samples while maintaining their pristine nature.