Sodium Distribution on the Moon

Abstract The Moon is significantly depleted in volatile elements when compared to Earth, an observation that has resulted various formation scenarios leading the loss of volatiles. Sodium a moderately element lithophile, which can be utilized as tracer history planetary bodies. It also well observed exosphere several bodies our solar system and exoplanetary systems. But lunar surface sodium abundances have so far been measured only samples brought back Earth. We report on results from first effort provide global-scale measurement using X-ray fluorescent spectra Chandrayaan-2. A global average 1.33 ± 0.03 wt% derived here higher than previously known. Trends abundance indicate long-lived adsorbate component could explain reported here, would act reservoir sustains exosphere.