L. P. Keller
Papers
3
Total Citations
99
H-Index
3
About
L. P. Keller is a prominent planetary scientist whose research has made significant contributions to our understanding of space weathering processes on the Moon and other airless bodies. Working primarily with samples from NASA's Apollo collection, Keller has pioneered the detailed microscopic and spectroscopic investigation of how exposure to the harsh space environment alters the physical and optical properties of lunar materials. His landmark 1999 study of patinas on Apollo 17 samples 75075 and 76015, which has garnered over 80 citations, employed a sophisticated multi-technique approach — combining scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray spectrometry — to characterize surface alteration at the nanoscale. A central theme across his work is the role of nanophase iron metal particles formed on grain surfaces, which he has shown to be a key driver of the reddening, darkening, and spectral feature suppression observed in mature lunar soils. His research on soil maturity effects has helped bridge the gap between laboratory measurements and remote sensing observations of planetary surfaces, providing the scientific community with critical tools for interpreting telescopic and spacecraft data of the Moon and beyond.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Space weathering on the Moon: Patina on Apollo 17 samples 75075 and 7601581 citations · 1999
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