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Spectroscopic and Geochemical Characterization of NWA 11421: Insights into Lunar Crust–Mantle Composition and Implications for Remote Sensing and Moon Exploration

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Lunar meteorites provide access to a geographically unconstrained record of the Moon, offering key insights into crustal diversity and interior evolution beyond the Apollo and Luna landing sites. Among them, the feldspathic breccia NWA 11421 is of particular interest because of its complex mineralogy and the presence of a dunite clast interpreted as a fragment of the lunar mantle. We present a non-destructive, multi-scale characterization of NWA 11421 using VIS–IR spectroscopy, µ-FTIR mapping, and µ-EDXRF. Results identify a polymict feldspathic breccia dominated by an anorthite matrix, with significant low-Ca pyroxene and olivine occurring as discrete mafic microdomains at the micro-scale. Near-infrared pyroxene band positions and Christiansen Feature (CF) value further indicate relatively mafic and primitive components. In addition, NWA 11421 CF value match with lunar crater-ejecta regions observed by the Diviner radiometer (LRO). These findings are consistent with a deep crustal or shallow mantle origin for NWA 11421 and may provide useful constraints for the selection of future landing sites, particularly in the context of ISRU-oriented human exploration, where mafic components are key sources of Fe and Mg.
DOI: 10.3390/rs18040576
Authors: Andrew Alberini, Francesco Renzi, Giovanni Poggiali, Fernándo Alberquilla, Sole Biancalani, Cristina García-Florentino, Anaïs Roussel, Mariano Battistuzzi, Julene Aramendia, Juan Manuel Madariaga, Teresa Fornaro, John Robert Brucato
Institutions: Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, University of Florence, National Institute for Astrophysics, University of the Basque Country, University of Trento, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Awards: G1175115578, G121809054, G143639328, G1622782223, G1855990336, G2181301144, G2262748287, G2309174360, G2390397592, G2585926585, G2660406951, G279363373, G300979063, G34346518, G3480869486, G410571670, G425668148, G430777504, G451917667, G5080475149, G5125438704, G5421974903, G5539308778, G586857820, G5967599077, G7084143925, G7391727506, G846842501, G8920660035, G897484643, G929308097, G99296377
OpenAlex ID: W7128680999
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