Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Sep 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008epsc.conf..130b&link_type=abstract
European Planetary Science Congress 2008, Proceedings of the conference held 21-25 September, 2008 in Münster, Germany. Online a
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
The giant South Pole - Aitken basin (SPA) is the largest recognised impact structure in the solar system. The basin is located on the far side of the moon and measures 3500 km in diameter, including the outermost ringstructure [2]. It is believed to be one of the oldest lunar structures, > 4 billion years [1]. Due to its old age and maturity the SPA structure has been severely reworked, and primary ejecta have been redistributed by later impacts. The smoothing effect of later smaller impacts on original basin structure and topography complicates studies of the primary impact signature of the basin structure. Here, we combine Clementine and SMART-1 data to provide additional constraints on the large-scale structure of the SPA impact basin. The impact's outer ring is best developed on the north-eastern side of the basin. Two possible explanations for this observation have been brought forward: (1) The ring structure is simply best preserved in this area because by chance it has not been reworked by later impacts as extensively as the rest of the outer ring. (2) The SPA was formed by an oblique impact of a low density body [2]. Such an impact could also explain the extremely low depth-diameter ratio of the basin [2]. Clementine LIDAR gravity and topography data are used to address the large-scale structure of the South Pole - Aitken Basin. Using the IDL and ENVI software gravity and topography profiles across the SPA with different orientations have been produced and compared. The results are also used to quantify the mass distribution as a result of the basin forming impact and later impacts, to try and assess how mass was distributed during and after the impact. The Clementine data are augmented with mosaics of highresolution SMART-1 AMIE images to improve on a detailed description of the geological context of the SPA. One northsouth profile through the SPA will be compared with the topography and gravity profiles. In a companion study (A.M. Borst et al., this conference) Clementine UV/VIS and NIR images are employed to constrain the geochemical signatures of exposed rock types within the SPA Basin. A synthesis of our studies enables a comparison between structure and mineralogical compositions / soil maturity, and may lead to the identification of possible landing sites for future sample return missions. References [1] Duke, M.B., 2003. Sample return from the lunar south pole-aitken basin. Adv. Space. Res. Vol. 31, No. 11, pp. 2347-2352. [2] Shevchenko, V.V., Chikmachev, V.I., Pugacheva, S.G., 2007. Structure of the South Pole-Aitkan lunar basin. Solar system research, Vol. 41, No 6, pp. 447-462.
Bexkens F. S.
Borst A. M.
Foing Bernard H.
Koschny Detlef
Peters T. M. S.
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