Aluminum-26 : an abundance mechanism

Abstract

Aluminum-26 (26Al) is a radioactive isotope that has a relatively short half-life, approximately 0.74 million yeras. Thus, since the formation of the earth some 4500 million years ago, the concentrations of 26Al should have decayed to nearly zero, yet 26Al has also been found in lunar and Martian samples. We attempt to elucidate the mechanism by which this aluminum arrived, or formed, on/in the space blanket, the lunar material, and the Martian material. The fecundity of four proposed abundance schemes is analyzed. The four schemes are as follows: (I) stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, (ii) nuclear testing in the upper atmosphere, (iii) fission powered satellites, and (iv) cosmic ray-induced nuclear reactions.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2001

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Llewellyn, Ralph A.

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Program

Physics

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic;Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0021669

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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