Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.p31e..02s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #P31E-02
Mathematics
Logic
[5460] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Physical Properties Of Materials, [5462] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Polar Regions, [5464] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Remote Sensing, [6250] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Moon
Scientific paper
Previous studies of radar data for the lunar poles have measured areas of high RF circular polarization ratio (CPR) consistent with volume scattering from shallow (0.1-1 m) depths. In addition, Lunar Prospector neutron data indicate elevated amounts of hydrogen in the upper 50 cm of the surface near the poles. These observations are not definitive for the presence of water ice on the Moon because of poor viewing geometry, a limited number of observations, and low surface resolution. The Mini-SAR experiment onboard India’s Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbital mission is an S-band (13-cm wavelength) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in a lightweight (~9 kg) package. This radar utilizes a hybrid polarization architecture that allows the derivation of the Stokes parameters and the determination of the backscatter characteristics of the lunar surface. Mini-SAR has mapped both polar areas of the Moon, covering more than 90% of the area polewards of 80° N and S latitude. In addition, we have obtained selected coverage of a variety of geological terrains in non-polar areas to better understand the range and variety of lunar surface units and their radar scattering properties. The polar regions show RF backscatter properties typical for the Moon, with most CPR values between 0.2-0.3, increasing to over 1.0 for very young, fresh features, such as large primary impact craters. The high values of CPR likely reflect the high degrees of surface roughness associated with these fresh features. A small group of permanently shadowed craters near the north pole of the Moon, including a large group of craters on the floor of Peary, show elevated CPR in their interiors, but no enhanced CPR in deposits exterior to their rims. We are investigating possible origins for such backscatter properties.
Bussey Ben
Neish Catherine
Nozette Stewart
Spudis Paul
Thomson Bradley J.
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