Analyses of Apollo 17 Samples Using the Quantitative Microanalysis Explorer: A Web‐Based Visualization Platform to Study Optical, Electron, and X‐Ray Imaging Data.
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| Title: | Analyses of Apollo 17 Samples Using the Quantitative Microanalysis Explorer: A Web‐Based Visualization Platform to Study Optical, Electron, and X‐Ray Imaging Data. |
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| Authors: | Minocha, Angelina1 (AUTHOR), Ogliore, Ryan C.1 (AUTHOR) ryan.ogliore@ucf.edu, Carpenter, Paul K.2,3 (AUTHOR), Yen, Christopher2,3 (AUTHOR), Jolliff, Bradley L.2,3 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Nov2025, Vol. 130 Issue 11, p1-15. 15p. |
| Subject Terms: | Data visualization, Basalt, Mineral analysis, Data visualization software, Electron probe microanalysis, Elemental analysis, Classification |
| Company/Entity: | Apollo program (U.S.) |
| Abstract: | We have developed the Quantitative Microanalysis Explorer, or QME‐Tool, a web‐based platform for visualization of large imaging data sets and interrogation of quantitative elemental maps acquired by electron microprobes. Using a combination of open‐source JavaScript libraries and custom scripts, the QME‐Tool can be used to quickly identify interesting mineral and lithologic phases in a sample by comparing backscattered‐electron (BSE), optical, and X‐ray images, extract quantitative chemical composition in regions from electron‐probe microanalysis (EPMA) stage maps, and easily share data and sample locations with colleagues. We have used the QME‐Tool to study regolith contained in 12 petrographic thin sections of the Apollo 17 double‐drive tube 73001/2 as part of the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) Program. As an example of the utility of the QME‐Tool, we have characterized a ∼500 × 750 μm basaltic lithic clast located in the 73002,6016 polished thin section, using a BSE image, quantitative EPMA stage maps, optical reflected light, and transmitted light in both plane‐polarized and crossed‐polarized images. In addition to non‐destructive quantitative composition extraction, we examine phase chemistry and compute a bulk composition for the clast as well as a supervised classification (using pre‐defined mineral clusters) according to its mineralogy. The data show that in its major element composition, the clast is essentially similar to ilmenite basalt 70017. This connection is used to argue that the high‐Ti basalt clasts in the drive tube originated from impacts into the valley floor and help reconstruct the emplacement mechanism of the light mantle deposit. Plain Language Summary: We have developed a web‐based tool to visualize and interrogate data acquired on samples of the Moon returned by the Apollo astronauts. The Quantitative Microanalysis Explorer, or QME‐Tool, makes it easy for scientists worldwide to examine different types of images, search for and characterize interesting, rare, or unusual rock types, and share their results with colleagues. In this work, we used the QME‐Tool to characterize a basalt rock fragment in the previously unopened Apollo 17 double‐drive tube and found that it is similar to one of the large volcanic rocks collected from the floor of Taurus‐Littrow Valley during the Apollo 17 mission. We also investigated the distribution of clast types as a function of depth and identified clasts that were unusual in their mineralogy. Key Points: We report the web‐based synthesis of large co‐registered imaging data sets of Apollo samplesCombining image analysis and quantitative X‐ray elemental data allows for a more in‐depth investigation of the sampleThe compositional classification of clasts in 73001/2 reflects the mineral/lithologic makeup and stratigraphy of the core that sampled a landslide deposit on the Moon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
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| Header | DbId: 8gh DbLabel: GreenFILE An: 189524586 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Analyses of Apollo 17 Samples Using the Quantitative Microanalysis Explorer: A Web‐Based Visualization Platform to Study Optical, Electron, and X‐Ray Imaging Data. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Minocha%2C+Angelina%22">Minocha, Angelina</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ogliore%2C+Ryan+C%2E%22">Ogliore, Ryan C.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> ryan.ogliore@ucf.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Carpenter%2C+Paul+K%2E%22">Carpenter, Paul K.</searchLink><relatesTo>2,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yen%2C+Christopher%22">Yen, Christopher</searchLink><relatesTo>2,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jolliff%2C+Bradley+L%2E%22">Jolliff, Bradley L.</searchLink><relatesTo>2,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Geophysical+Research%2E+Planets%22">Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets</searchLink>. Nov2025, Vol. 130 Issue 11, p1-15. 15p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+visualization%22">Data visualization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Basalt%22">Basalt</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mineral+analysis%22">Mineral analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+visualization+software%22">Data visualization software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electron+probe+microanalysis%22">Electron probe microanalysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elemental+analysis%22">Elemental analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Classification%22">Classification</searchLink> – Name: SubjectCompany Label: Company/Entity Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Apollo+program+%28U%2ES%2E%29%22">Apollo program (U.S.)</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: We have developed the Quantitative Microanalysis Explorer, or QME‐Tool, a web‐based platform for visualization of large imaging data sets and interrogation of quantitative elemental maps acquired by electron microprobes. Using a combination of open‐source JavaScript libraries and custom scripts, the QME‐Tool can be used to quickly identify interesting mineral and lithologic phases in a sample by comparing backscattered‐electron (BSE), optical, and X‐ray images, extract quantitative chemical composition in regions from electron‐probe microanalysis (EPMA) stage maps, and easily share data and sample locations with colleagues. We have used the QME‐Tool to study regolith contained in 12 petrographic thin sections of the Apollo 17 double‐drive tube 73001/2 as part of the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) Program. As an example of the utility of the QME‐Tool, we have characterized a ∼500 × 750 μm basaltic lithic clast located in the 73002,6016 polished thin section, using a BSE image, quantitative EPMA stage maps, optical reflected light, and transmitted light in both plane‐polarized and crossed‐polarized images. In addition to non‐destructive quantitative composition extraction, we examine phase chemistry and compute a bulk composition for the clast as well as a supervised classification (using pre‐defined mineral clusters) according to its mineralogy. The data show that in its major element composition, the clast is essentially similar to ilmenite basalt 70017. This connection is used to argue that the high‐Ti basalt clasts in the drive tube originated from impacts into the valley floor and help reconstruct the emplacement mechanism of the light mantle deposit. Plain Language Summary: We have developed a web‐based tool to visualize and interrogate data acquired on samples of the Moon returned by the Apollo astronauts. The Quantitative Microanalysis Explorer, or QME‐Tool, makes it easy for scientists worldwide to examine different types of images, search for and characterize interesting, rare, or unusual rock types, and share their results with colleagues. In this work, we used the QME‐Tool to characterize a basalt rock fragment in the previously unopened Apollo 17 double‐drive tube and found that it is similar to one of the large volcanic rocks collected from the floor of Taurus‐Littrow Valley during the Apollo 17 mission. We also investigated the distribution of clast types as a function of depth and identified clasts that were unusual in their mineralogy. Key Points: We report the web‐based synthesis of large co‐registered imaging data sets of Apollo samplesCombining image analysis and quantitative X‐ray elemental data allows for a more in‐depth investigation of the sampleThe compositional classification of clasts in 73001/2 reflects the mineral/lithologic makeup and stratigraphy of the core that sampled a landslide deposit on the Moon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1029/2024JE008614 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 15 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Data visualization Type: general – SubjectFull: Basalt Type: general – SubjectFull: Mineral analysis Type: general – SubjectFull: Data visualization software Type: general – SubjectFull: Electron probe microanalysis Type: general – SubjectFull: Elemental analysis Type: general – SubjectFull: Classification Type: general – SubjectFull: Apollo program (U.S.) Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Analyses of Apollo 17 Samples Using the Quantitative Microanalysis Explorer: A Web‐Based Visualization Platform to Study Optical, Electron, and X‐Ray Imaging Data. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Minocha, Angelina – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Ogliore, Ryan C. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Carpenter, Paul K. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Yen, Christopher – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Jolliff, Bradley L. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 11 Text: Nov2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 21699097 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 130 – Type: issue Value: 11 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets Type: main |
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