Observations of the lunar surface and subsurface features by Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) onboard the Kaguya (SELENE) spacecraft

Details Observations of the lunar surface and subsurface features by Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) onboard the Kaguya (SELENE) spacecraft Observations of the lunar surface and subsurface features by Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) onboard the Kaguya (SELENE) spacecraft

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.p23c1278k&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #P23C-1278

Physics

[2772] Magnetospheric Physics / Plasma Waves And Instabilities, [6250] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Moon

Scientific paper

Lunar radar sounder (LRS) onboard the Kaguya (SELENE) spacecraft successfully obtained 2363-hours worth of radar sounder data and 6570-hours worth of natural plasma wave data in the nominal operation period from October 29, 2007 to September 10, 2008 and 2390-hours worth of natural plasma wave data in the extended operation period until June 10, 2009. Based on the initial analyses of radar sounder data, we have reported that LRS has observed distinct subsurface reflectors with a depth of several hundred meters below the surface of the nearside maria, which are inferred to be old regolith layers covered by basalt layers [Ono et al., 2009]. After the initial report, the following studies have been performed based on radar sounder data obtained in wide area of the lunar surface. Clear subsurface echoes are well found especially in 10% of the western nearside maria such as Mare Humorum, Mare Imbrium, and Oceanus Procellarum. By comparison with surface age determined by crater counting, it is concluded that the clear subsurface echoes are caused by thick regolith layers formed during dormant volcanic period before 3.0 billion years ago [Oshigami et al., 2009]. On the other hand, it is also suggested that the surface material affects the detectability of the subsurface echoes [Pommerol., et al., 2009]. Global mapping of echo power has been obtained based on radar sounder data. It is found that the echo power is mainly correlated with flatness of the surface and also with FeO abundance in the surface determined by Lunar Prospector (LP) neutron spectrometer [Nakagawa et al., 2009] The LRS data will be open to any researchers since November 2009. We hope that LRS datasets are utilized for further studies on lunar geological features associated with the origin and evolution of the moon, and physical processes of natural radio and plasma waves.

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