Physics
Scientific paper
May 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001agusm...p21a02f&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2001, abstract #P21A-02
Physics
5410 Composition, 5455 Origin And Evolution, 6250 Moon (1221)
Scientific paper
Maps of the ratio of epithermal to thermal neutrons (E/T) and fast neutrons (FN) from Lunar Prospector were studied to determine their global distribution on the Moon. These distributions are compared with that of Thorium [Th] to aid in their interpretation. All distributions were parameterized using a spherical harmonic expansion out to order l=30. Resultant harmonic coefficients generally decrease with increasing l value for all three variables. The axes of all dipole components (l=1) cluster closely about a centroid given by +15.1 degree latitude and 18.2 degree west longitude. This location is very close to the symmetry axes of their quadrupole components (l=2), which cluster about a centroid given by +23.9 degree latitude and 24.7 degree west longitude. Both centroids are near the center of a suggested Procellarum basin, given by Whitaker [1981] at +23.0 degree latitude and 15 degree west longitude. This suggestion is strengthened by a sharp decrease of the intensities of all three variables at about 50 degrees from the centroids, which is close to the boundary of the putative Procellarum basin. The coincidence of the global concentration of heat-producing elements (through [Th]) and mare deposits on the lunar surface (through (T/E) and (FN)) with the circular outline of a putative Procellarum basin, suggests that the events that were responsible for producing Procellarum (perhaps a single giant impact) must figure importantly in shaping the global distribution of surface composition. A second, apparently older circular structure having its center near 0 degrees latitude and 70 degrees east longitude and a radius of 50 degrees, is also indicated in the data.
Binder Alan B.
Elphic Richard C.
Feldman William C.
Gasnault Olivier
Lawrence D. Jr. J.
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