HR: 13:55h
AN: P33D-02    [Abstracts]
TI: Earth-based 70-cm radar observations of the southeast limb of the Moon
AU: * Ghent, R R
EM: ghentr@si.edu
AF: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, MRC 315, Washington, DC 20013
AU: Campbell, B A
EM: campbellb@si.edu
AF: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, MRC 315, Washington, DC 20013
AU: Hawke, B R
EM: hawke@higp.hawaii.edu
AF: University of Hawaii, 1680 E-W Rd, Post 504, Honolulu, HI 96822
AU: Campbell, D B
EM: campbell@astro.cornell.edu
AF: Cornell University, 528 Space Sciences Building, Ithaca, NY 14853
AB: Earth-based radar measurements can be used to examine the physical and chemical properties of the lunar regolith. Because 70-cm radar signals can penetrate up to 10ˆs of meters, particularly into feldspathic highland material, these data offer a new perspective on regolith bulk chemical properties and rock abundance. The combination of these data with Clementine UV-VIS mosaics, which can be used to estimate the bulk oxide chemistry of the upper surface, allows for a new level of comprehensive regolith characterization. We use new, high-resolution (450 m / pixel) 70-cm observations of the southern highlands of the Moon to investigate regional variations in backscatter strength that may represent boundaries between ejecta deposits of the major basins. Preliminary work on the 70-cm data showed that one such area of low radar return is likely a lobe of ejecta from Schrodinger Basin, and we are working to identify the source basins for other features. We are also studying the distribution of cryptomaria adjacent to Australe Basin, using subtle variations in backscatter strength that arise due to mixing of low-TiO₂ basalts with the highland regolith.
DE: 5460 Physical properties of materials
DE: 5464 Remote sensing
DE: 5470 Surface materials and properties
DE: 5494 Instruments and techniques
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005