Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jan 1998
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998lpico.957...36p&link_type=abstract
Origin of the Earth and Moon, Proceedings of the Conference held 1-3 December, 1998 in Monterey, California. LPI Contribution N
Computer Science
Gravity Anomalies, Lunar Topography, Moon, Terrain, Topography, Lunar Crust, Lunar Geology, Selenology, Numerical Integration, Remote Sensing, Satellite-Borne Instruments, Spectral Correlation
Scientific paper
We have investigated the interior differentiation of lunar mass by studying the correlation spectrum between gravity and topography at 100 km altitude. The gravity effects of the lunar topography were accurately modeled in spherical coordinates by a unique Gauss Legendre quadrature integration procedure that we had developed for this application. Applying spectral correlation theory to the modeled terrain gravity effects and satellite-measured free-air gravity anomalies (FAGA) separated FAGA into terrain-correlated and terrain-decorrelated components. The terrain-correlated free-air anomalies may then be subtracted from the terrain gravity effects to estimate compensated terrain effects. Because these compensated effects are not apparent in FAGA, the existence of an annihilating anomaly field may be inferred that can be analyzed for mantle topography or crustal thickness variations assuming an appropriate crustal compensation model. We demonstrated the utility of this unique approach in an investigation of the crustal properties of a 64 degree x 64 degree region that was roughly centered on the Mare Orientale impact basin. Our analysis revealed predominantly high frequency terain=decrrelated FAGA that readily reflect possible density variations within the upper crust. For Mare Orientale a general positive correlation is observed between these anomalies and remote sensing estimates of the abundance of Fe on the Moon. However, our analysis was not able to identify lower-order components of the terrain-decorrelated FAGA that may be interpreted for subcrustal mass variations of the region.
Merry Carolyn J.
Potts Laramie V.
Vonfrese R. B. R.
No associations
LandOfFree
Lunar Mass Differentiation from Spectrally Correlated Gravity and Topographic Data 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 Lunar Mass Differentiation from Spectrally Correlated Gravity and Topographic Data, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lunar Mass Differentiation from Spectrally Correlated Gravity and Topographic Data will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1611547