Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010agufm.p51f..04v&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #P51F-04
Physics
[5464] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Remote Sensing, [5470] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Surface Materials And Properties, [6250] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Moon
Scientific paper
The Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (DLRE) on NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is the first investigation to map the global thermal state of the Moon and its diurnal and seasonal variability. Diviner began mapping in mid-2009 and is now into its second year, and therefore its second cycle of local time coverage. We will present maps of surface temperature and solar-wavelength albedo compiled from the first year of mapping data. Near-surface temperatures on the Moon (and by analogy, Mercury) are controlled by the physical and thermal properties within the first few meters of the surface, such as the local slope, bulk density, thermal conductivity, heat capacity, albedo, and emissivity (and any variations with depth or temperature). These, in turn, can be properties of the composition, particle size and packing, mechanical re-working, and weathering of the material. Existing knowledge of the near-surface structure comes from Apollo in situ measurements as well as prior thermal and radio observations. We will discuss how the local time and spectral coverage within the Diviner data can be used to constrain the regolith thermal and physical properties and their variation with depth. Diviner's temperature maps reveal a lunar surface dominated by the effects of mechanical re-working from impacts, but retaining important differences in thermal behavior due to exposures of blocky material or unusually thick concentrations of loosely packed fines, for example. We will discuss the preparation of these maps for release as higher-level data products to the Planetary Data System. Diviner is a push-broom radiometer that measures solar reflectance and infrared emission in nine spectral bands spanning 0.3 to 400 microns. Spatial resolution is a few hundred meters within and along Diviner's 21-pixel swath. LRO is in a polar, inertially fixed orbit that results in global coverage each Earth month and complete local time/seasonal coverage over an Earth year. Spatial coverage is comprehensive at the highest latitudes, but lower latitudes have gaps between adjacent orbit tracks. As LRO is pioneering NASA's efforts to renew exploration of the Moon, a major goal of Diviner is to characterize and assess the safety of future landing sites.
Bandfield Joshua L.
Greenhagen Benjamin T.
Lro Diviner Team
Paige David A.
Siegler Matthew A.
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