While DR.CHARLES MEYER’s thesis was on the early condensation of matter in the solar system, he has applied his background in chemistry and mineralogy to the study of the lunar samples. Meyer first investigated the metallic iron grains in Apollo 12 samples, then discovered that Apollo 12 samples included small grains of a basaltic material he termed KREEP (which he correctly predicted would be found in greater amounts at the Apollo 14 site).  Using the ion microprobe lab at JSC he proved that the green glass droplets in Apollo 15 samples and the orange glass beads in Apollo 17 were from lava fountains, because they were coated by condensed volatile compounds.

The highlight of Meyer’s career was the opportunity to work as Mission Scientist during Apollo 15 (years later, he served as Program Scientist for an aborted program to return to the moon).  When the JSC ion probe became obsolete, he took his samples to the ANU ion probe lab to precisely date lunar zircons by the U-Pb method.

Having been asked by the first Lunar Sample Curator to help with curatorial efforts, Meyer has prepared the educational booklet for lunar thin section, managed various curatorial labs, briefly served as secretary for various advisory panels, cataloged various collections, served as contamination control officer, and most recently, pushed for improved curatorial facilities.