HR: 15:00h
AN: P42B-06    [PDF]
TI: Recent Goldstone Solar System Radar Observations
AU: * Haldemann, A F
EM: albert@shannon.jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, JPL 238-420, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 United States
AU: Benner, L
EM: lance.benner@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, JPL 238-420, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 United States
AU: Butler, B J
EM: bbutler@nrao.edu
AF: NRAO, P.O.Box O, Soccoro, NM 87801 United States
AU: Harcke, L
EM: lharcke@stanford.edu
AF: Stanford University, 350 Serra Mall Rm. 322, Stanford, CA 94305-9515 United States
AU: Jurgens, R F
EM: jurgens@shannon.jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, JPL 238-420, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 United States
AU: Larsen, K W
EM: kris@shannon.jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, JPL 238-420, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 United States
AU: Margot, J
EM: margot@gps.caltech.edu
AF: Caltech, M/S 150-21, Pasadena, CA 91125 United States
AU: Ostro, S J
EM: steven.j.ostro@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, JPL 238-420, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 United States
AU: Slade, M A
EM: marty@shannon.jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, JPL 238-420, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 United States
AB: Planetary radar exploration started on the ground with the detection of the Moon in 1946. In recent years, the Goldstone Solar System Radar (GSSR) has for example made contributions to (i) understanding of the hazards and trafficability at various proposed Mars robotic landing sites, (ii) under-standing of polar water ice for the terrestrial planets and the surfaces of the icy Galilean satellites, (iii) measurement of the lunar polar topography at high resolution, and, (iv) in conjunction with the Green Bank and Arecibo telescopes, to high precision measurement of planetary rotation. Additionally, the GSSR has made a significant contribution to the radar-detected portion of the known NEO population; the radar-detected portion now stands at around 5%. Near Earth Object (NEO) radar detections provide astrometric information for long-term orbit prediction. Additionally, recent observations make the case for radar albedo and shape characterization, for which radar is uniquely suited, which enhance long-term NEO orbit predictions. For the past three years GSSR has averaged 5 quick-turnaround observations of newly discovered NEO's per year, for a total of 8 asteroid targets per year. Clearly, Earth-based radar astronomy lays the ground-work for and supports the exploration of the solar system by spacecraft, both with (e.g., Mars Express, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Cassini) and without radar systems (e.g. Lunar Prospector, MUSES-C, and MESSENGER).
DE: 5430 Interiors (8147)
DE: 5464 Remote sensing
DE: 5470 Surface materials and properties
DE: 5494 Instruments and techniques
DE: 6205 Asteroids and meteoroids
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting