Remote Sensing Studies of Selected Lunar Rays

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Scientific paper

The nature of lunar crater rays has long been the source of major controversy. Some workers have proposed that rays are dominated by primary crater ejecta, while others have emphasized the role of secondary craters in producing rays. In an effort to better understand the processes responsible for the formation of lunar rays, we have utilized a variety of remote sensing data to study selected rays associated with Olbers A, the Messier crater complex, and Tycho. These data include near-IR reflectance spectra (0.6-2.5 um), 3.8- and 70-cm radar maps, and Clementine and Galileo multispectral imagery. Olbers A is a Copernican-aged impact crater (D = 43 km) located in the highlands on the Moon's western limb which exhibits an extensive ray system. Eleven spectra were obtained for Olbers A, its rays, and related features. All spectra were analyzed and spectral mixing model studies were conducted. The spectra obtained for areas near the intersection of two major ray elements in Oceanus Procellarum are dominated by mare material. However, highland debris is quite abundant (contributing 30-50% of the flux to the spectra). Lesser amounts (26-38%) of highland debris were determined to be present in the more diffuse ray segments. Messier and Messier A are located in Mare Fecunditatis; major rays occur to the south and west of the parent craters. Spectral analysis indicates that the rays west and south of the Messier complex are dominated by fresh mare material. The rays exhibit enhanced values on the 3.8-cm depolarized radar image, but no enhancement is apparent in the 70-cm data set. A major ray from Tycho crater crosses much of Mare Nectaris. Analyses of near-IR reflectance spectra, multispectral imagery, and a variety of radar data indicate that the Tycho ray in Mare Nectaris is dominated by fresh local material excavated and emplaced by secondary craters.

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