Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Apr 1993
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993sci...260..509h&link_type=abstract
Science (ISSN 0036-8075), vol. 260, no. 5107, p. 509-511.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
73
Backscattering, Coherent Scattering, Lunar Probes, Lunar Shadow, Lunar Soil, Apollo Flights, Circular Polarization, Moon, Backscatter, Brightness, Reflectance, Samples, Lunar, Regolith, Soil, Laboratory Studies, Polarization, Opposition, Surface, Origin, Hypotheses, Scattering, Optical Properties, Procedure, Phase Angle, Shadows
Scientific paper
The opposition effect, the sharp surge in brightness of an astronomical object observed near zero phase angle, which has been known for more than a century, has generally been explained by shadow hiding. The reflectances of several Apollo lunar soil samples have been measured as a function of phase angle in linearly and circularly polarized light. All samples exhibited a decrease in the linear polarization ratio and an increase in the circular polarization ratio in the opposition peak. This provides unequivocal proof that most of the lunar opposition effect is caused by coherent backscatter, not shadow hiding. This result has major implications for the interpretation of photometric observations of bodies in the solar system, including the Earth.
Hapke Bruce W.
Nelson Robert M.
Smythe William D.
No associations
LandOfFree
The opposition effect of the moon - The contribution of coherent backscatter does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The opposition effect of the moon - The contribution of coherent backscatter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The opposition effect of the moon - The contribution of coherent backscatter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1309299