Integrating Geophysics with Remotely Sensed Data and the Apollo Samples

Details Integrating Geophysics with Remotely Sensed Data and the Apollo Samples Integrating Geophysics with Remotely Sensed Data and the Apollo Samples

Jan 1998

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998nvmi.conf...77w&link_type=abstract

Workshop on New Views of the Moon: Integrated Remotely Sensed, Geophysical, and Sample Datasets, p. 77

Physics

Geophysics

Ejecta, Geophysics, Mineralogy, Moon, Lunar Geology, Lunar Topography, Lunar Composition, Lunar Maps, Minerals, Lunar Rocks, Clementine Spacecraft, Lunar Prospector, Remote Sensing, Spectroscopy, Lunar Craters

Scientific paper

Our understanding of the gravity and topography field of the Moon has improved dramatically with data collected from the recent Clementine mission. Near-global spectroscopic observations of the surface from this mission have also given us a vast dataset that is only beginning to be fully explored. Additionally, even though the expansive Apollo sample collection has been analyzed for more than 20 yr, there are many questions that have not been resolved regarding their origin and original provenance. We ask, from a geophysical perspective, what is the best way to integrate these three seemingly disparate disciplines to address lunar problems? This is a timely question, for as this is being written, Lunar Prospector is orbiting the Moon collecting global gamma-ray data, as well as improved gravity tracking. Within a year or two, we will have an order of magnitude better understanding of both the gravity field, as well as the near-surface composition. Elemental concentration maps should be made available for most major rock-forming elements (e.g., Fe, Mg, Ca, Si, and Ti), as well as some trace elements (e.g., K, Th, U, and H). When these compositional maps are finally released, how will they be used to improve our understanding of the geology of the Moon? Although there are many ways in which geophysical studies could be integrated with either the sample data or remote-sensing data, we suggest that the most fruitful synthesis will come from investigating both the lateral and vertical variability in the structure and composition of the lunar crust. By investigating the nature of material ejected from large impact basins, the stratigraphy of the preimpact crust can be inferred. Specifically, using a model of the crustal thickness from geophysical studies, it should be possible to predict the radial variation of ejecta mineralogy using impact-cratering scaling relations. Furthermore, elemental concentration maps should be able to independently assess the radial variation in ejecta mineralogy. Since the geophysical models of crustal structure are not unique, the remote sensing observations will enable us to determine which models of crustal structure are plausible. Additionally, since we have samples that are believed to have come from large impact basins, these samples will provide ground truth for both the remote-sensing data and impact-cratering models.

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