Telescopic investigation of relative spectral reflectivity of mare grounds of lunar surface

A study of the variation of the spectral relative ratios of reflectivity of selected mare lunar grounds between wavelengths 4000 and 8000 Å is given in comparison with lunar craters. The intensities at different wavelengths of each lunar region are corrected for the angles of illumination and viewing, and they are scaled to unity at =5538Å. Distinct variety in the spectral reflectivity values of mare grounds at short wavelengths are confirmed. The Mare Tranquillitatis type grounds (similar to Apollo-11 site), have relative ratio of reflectivity at short wavelength at =4035 Å; larger than or equal to 1.03 in addition to a bigger difference in reflectivity between the short and the long wavelength. The Mare Serenitatis type grounds (similar to Apollo-12) are characterized to give relative ratio of reflectivity less than 1.03 at =4035 Å, and smaller difference in reflectivity between short and long wavelengths. This is due to the variation in the colour of the Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare Serenitatis type ground due to compositional differences. The mare type grounds are generally different in shape than that of lunar craters grounds.Presented at the IAU-COSPAR Julian Schmidt Symposium on 100 Years of Lunar Mapping held at Lagonissi, Greece, 25–27 May, 1978.