The NEIU NASA/UNCF Project

 Lunar Mining Main Page

NEIU Earth Science Department

It's Not Made of Cheese! 

The exercises below are part of a series of interdisciplinary learning modules created by
geologists, chemists, physicists, and mathematicians.
The modules are designed to help students and teachers learn more about
resources in our solar system through application of these disciplines. 

 What is the moon's composition?  How do we know about the composition of the moon?

 How does lunar composition compare to that of the Earth? 

 Does the moon's composition indicate the presence of useful resource materials? 

  (More images at Space Studies Institute)

The composition of the moon is known through samples of lunar soil and rocks recovered from Apollo mission landings in which samples were physically collected.  These samples are from specific sites on the moon, close to the landing sites of the respective missions.

In addition, "fly-by" missions, such as Galileo, Lunar Prospector, and Clementine, have yielded information about the elemental composition of the moon, as well as of other planets.

Information about chemical composition of space bodies yield clues as to their origin and possible resources in space.

The table in this link compares lunar to earth composition, with respect to key elements.  [Visit the page, scroll to the bottom to view the table, and then use your browser's 'back' button to return here.]

QUESTION 1:  What are the possible resource materials, as indicated in this list?

QUESTION 2:  What are the possible sources of error in this data, and how would that affect your  assessment of the potential for resources?

QUESTION 3: What are the most abundant elements in the earth's crust?  What elements are present in the earth's interior, but not abundant in the crust?  [Try this link for help].  

QUESTION 4: Do we expect the moon and the earth to have similar compositions?  What would the similarity or difference indicate about the formation of the moon?  Theories about the formation of the moon are diverse.  Which of these theories would account for the comparative composition of the moon and the earth? 
.