Geomorphological Analysis of ExoMars Candidate Landing Site Oxia Planum

Solar System Research - The article is devoted to a detailed photogeological and topographic analysis of the surface in the region of Oxia Planum, which is the most likely landing site for the...     

The Signs and the Role of Structures of Subsurface Flow in Permafrost Zone

Water Resources - The subsurface runoff in the permafrost zone shows considerable structural and seasonal specifics. The structural features are due, on the one hand, to the lithologically...     

Analysis of Lunar Terrain Altitudes and Correlation Links between the Terrain and Gravitational Field; Preliminary Conclusions on the Global Density Inhomogeneities of the Lunar Crust

The harmonic and statistical analysis of lunar terrain altitudes has been performed based on the procedure developed by the authors. The explanations for the displacements of the Moon's figure relative to the center of mass and for the shift of the major equatorial axis relative to the earthward direction have been given. The maps have been plotted for the density anomalies in the near-surface layers of the Moon that correspond to mascons (with negative correlation between the field and terrain mainly for N= 10, 11) and other variants of links between the gravitational field and terrain (with positive correlation between the field and terrain). It has been shown that the harmonics of the degree N= 5–9 mainly correspond to the isostatic compensation of the terrain in the near-surface layers of the crust; the low harmonics (N< 5) correspond to the isostatic compensation of the terrain in the deeper layers, while the harmonics of the degrees N > 11 may indicate the presence of tension in the crust generated by small structures of the terrain. Based on the maps, possible locations of deposits of volatile elements (mainly on the far side of the Moon and in the northern cir-cumpolar region) and other natural resources have been determined.