Anthony L. Turkevich
Encyclopedia
Anthony Leonid Turkevich (July 23, 1916 – September 7, 2002) was an American radiochemist
who was the first to determine the composition of the Moon
's surface using an alpha scattering spectrometer
on the Surveyor 5
mission in 1967. He had also worked on nuclear weapons during and after World War II
, as well as peaceful uses of nuclear energy. For this latter work, he received the 1969 Atoms for Peace Award
.
His father was Leonty Turkevich
, who later became the Metropolitan
of the Russian Orthodox Church
in North America.
Radiochemistry
Radiochemistry is the chemistry of radioactive materials, where radioactive isotopes of elements are used to study the properties and chemical reactions of non-radioactive isotopes...
who was the first to determine the composition of the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
's surface using an alpha scattering spectrometer
APXS
An Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer is a device that analyses the chemical element composition of a sample from the scattered alpha particles, emitted protons , and fluorescent X-rays after the sample is irradiated with alpha particles and X-rays from radioactive sources...
on the Surveyor 5
Surveyor 5
Surveyor 5 was the fifth lunar lander of the American unmanned Surveyor program sent to explore the surface of the Moon.*Launched September 8, 1967; landed September 11, 1967*Weight on landing: 303 kg...
mission in 1967. He had also worked on nuclear weapons during and after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, as well as peaceful uses of nuclear energy. For this latter work, he received the 1969 Atoms for Peace Award
Atoms for Peace Award
The Atoms for Peace Award was established in 1955 through a grant of $1,000,000 by the Ford Motor Company Fund. An independent nonprofit corporation was set up to administer the award for the development or application of peaceful nuclear technology. It was created in response to U.S. President...
.
His father was Leonty Turkevich
Leonty (Turkevich)
Metropolitan Leontius was the Metropolitan of the North American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church from 1950 until his death in 1965. He was succeeded by Metropolitan Ireney...
, who later became the Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
in North America.
Sources
- A. L. Turkevich Is Dead at 86; Ascertained Moon's Makeup, Obituary in New York Times, September 21, 2002.
- Anthony Turkevich, Radiochemist, 1916-2002, Obituary from the University of Chicago, September 12, 2002.
- Anthony Leonid Turkevich, 1916-2002, Biographical memoir, National Academy of Sciences, 2007.