title: Seismic detection of the lunar core.
abstract: Despite recent insight regarding the history and current state of the Moon from satellite sensing and analyses of limited Apollo-era seismic data, deficiencies remain in our understanding of the deep lunar interior. We reanalyzed Apollo lunar seismograms using array-processing methods to search for the presence of reflected and converted seismic energy from the core. Our results suggest the presence of a solid inner and fluid outer core, overlain by a partially molten boundary layer. The relative sizes of the inner and outer core suggest that the core is ~60% liquid by volume. Based on phase diagrams of iron alloys and the presence of partial melt, the core probably contains less than 6 weight % of lighter alloying components, which is consistent with a volatile-depleted interior.
authors.affiliation: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, 320 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805, USA. renee.c.weber@nasa.gov
authors.forename: Renee C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Pei-Ying
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Garnero
authors.forename: Quentin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lognonné