Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 1977
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1977moon...17..167a&link_type=abstract
The Moon, vol. 17, Oct. 1977, p. 167-176. Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Iran
Physics
Lunar Gravitation, Mascons, Moments Of Inertia, Planetary Mass, Lunar Maria, Lunar Surface, Mass Distribution, Spherical Caps, Spherical Harmonics
Scientific paper
The possibility is considered that differences in the moments of inertia of the moon are due to lunar surface irregularities formed by volcanic activity between 3.2 and 3.7 billion years ago as well as by earlier processes. A spherical harmonic analysis of the gravitational field of a spherical cap is performed, and the effect of such a field on the differences in the moon's moments of inertia is discussed. The surface irregularities are then approximated by several spherical caps, and differences in the moon's moments of inertia resulting from these irregularities are determined. It is concluded that: (1) the contribution of an excess mass to the differences in the moon's moments of inertia depends strongly on the location of the mass; (2) the overall mare filling rate on the lunar front side is associated with a broad mass excess; (3) the differences in the moon's moments of inertia are most likely due to surface irregularities, mainly mare filling on the front side and the topography of the back side; and (4) the known mascons have little effect on the differences in the moon's moments of inertia.
Arkani-Hamed Jafar
Kermani M. B.
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