LRO Diviner: First Look at Lunar Global Temperatures and Thermophysical Properties

Details LRO Diviner: First Look at Lunar Global Temperatures and Thermophysical Properties LRO Diviner: First Look at Lunar Global Temperatures and Thermophysical Properties

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.u22a..02v&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #U22A-02

Physics

[5462] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Polar Regions, [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 instrument to map the global thermal state of the Moon and its diurnal and seasonal variability. Diviner began mapping in July 2009 and by December will have globally mapped the Moon over 10 hours of local time (two five-hour blocks separated by twelve hours). We will present global maps of surface temperature, solar albedo, and infrared emissivity. 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 the efforts to more accurately derive and map regolith density and conductivity structure, roughness, and rock abundance using the combination of Diviner’s local time and spectral coverage. 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 0.5 km 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 local time/seasonal coverage over an Earth year. Complete spatial coverage at 0.5 km resolution is achieved at the poles. These data are used in conjunction with numerical models to assess the stability of potential polar volatile deposits, to map thermophysical properties including rock abundance and roughness, and to determine compositional variations. Because LRO is pioneering NASA's efforts to return humans to the Moon, a major goal of Diviner is to characterize and assess the safety of future landing sites.

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