Lunar polarization studies at 3.1mm wavelength

Observations of the distribution of linearly polarized lunar thermal emission were made at a wavelength of 3.1 mm with The University of Texas 4.88 m parabolic reflector (0.042° HPBW). A shadow corrected, rough surface, thermal emission model for a homogeneous Moon was leastsquares-fitted to the polarization data. Results indicate an effective lunar dielectric constant of 1.34 ±0.04 with surface roughness characterized by a standard deviation of 17° ± 5° for surface slopes with a normal probability density, independent of lunar phase. A comparison of these results with published values at other wavelengths suggests that the effective lunar dielectric constant, as obtained by lunar emission measurements, decreases with decreasing wavelength of observation. This wavelength dependence may be interpreted in terms of an inhomogeneous surface and/or a surface that possesses intermediate scale surface roughness.This work was supported in part by NASA Grant NGL 44-012-006.     

The sunlit lunar surface

Directional infrared emission from the sunlit lunar surface is determined for the thermal meridian and as a function of observer elevation and azimuth angles at three Sun elevation angles. A study of selected mare sites at full Moon suggests that brightness temperatures are relatively insensitive to changes in certain surface parameters, such as the photometric function, emissivity, and thermophysical properties of the soil. The observed deviations from predictions for an average surface can be accounted for by changes in surface roughness.Deceased 12 January, 1971.     

Comment on: Constraints on the depth and variability of the lunar regolith,by B. B. Wilcox,M. S. Robinson,P. C. Thomas,and B. R. Hawke

Abstract— Any permanent presence on the Moon will require use of materials from the lunar regolith, the surface soil layer on the Moon. Thus, knowledge of the thickness of the lunar regolith is essential. It has been proposed that crater counts obtained from high Sun angle photography give larger estimates of impact crater equilibrium diameters than for low Sun angle photography, and thus deeper estimates of lunar surface regolith than were previously made using crater morphology, size of blocky rimmed craters, and equilibrium diameters determined on low Sun angle images. The purpose of this comment is to evaluate this result as a means of resolving this important question before planning for future lunar missions is undertaken     

Numerical investigation of collision orbits of lunar satellites

In the present study an investigation of the collision orbits of natural satellites of the Moon (considered to be of finite dimensions) is developed, and the tendency of natural satellites of the Moon to collide on the visible or the far side of the Moon is studied. The collision course of the satellite is studied up to its impact on the lunar surface for perturbations of its initial orbit arbitrarily induced, for example, by the explosion of a meteorite. Several initial conditions regarding the position of the satellite to collide with the Moon on its near (visible) or far (invisible) side is examined in connection to the initial conditions and the direction of the motion of the satellite. The distribution of the lunar craters-originating impact of lunar satellites or celestial bodies which followed a course around the Moon and lost their stability - is examined. First, we consider the planar motion of the natural satellite and its collision on the Moon's surface without the presence of the Earth and Sun. The initial velocities of the satellite are determined in such a way so its impact on the lunar surface takes place on the visible side of the Moon. Then, we continue imparting these velocities to the satellite, but now in the presence of the Earth and Sun; and study the forementioned impacts of the satellites but now in the Earth-Moon-Satellite system influenced also by the Sun. The initial distances of the satellite are taken as the distances which have been used to compute periodic orbits in the planar restricted three-body problem (cf. Gousidou-Koutita, 1980) and its direction takes different angles with the x-axis (Earth-Moon axis). Finally, we summarise the tendency of the satellite's impact on the visible or invisible side of the Moon.     

Lunar Prospector measurements of secondary electron emission from lunar regolith

We present the first in situ measurements of the secondary electron emission efficiency of lunar regolith, utilizing Lunar Prospector measurements of secondary electrons emitted from the negatively charged night side and accelerated upward by surface electric fields. By comparing measurements of secondary currents emitted from the surface and incident primary electron currents, we find that the secondary yield of lunar regolith is a factor of ∼3 lower than that measured for samples in the laboratory. This lower yield significantly affects current balance at the lunar surface and the resulting equilibrium surface potentials. This information must be folded into models of the near-surface plasma sheath, in order to predict the effects on dust and other components of the lunar environment, and ultimately determine the importance for surface exploration and scientific investigations on the Moon.     

Modelling of temperatures of selected points in lunar maria

The purpose of this paper is to propose a numerical model representing the brightness temperature of ten selected sites of the Moon as measured in CERGA. A theoretical approach is proposed in which the temperature is expressed as a function of the local zenith distance of the Sun and a quantity depending upon the local zenith distance of the observer and the difference of their azimuths. The coefficients of this expression depend upon various integrals involving frequency function of the slopes of the lunar surface. The shadows are being qualitatively taken care of by introducing the phase angle .Using the observations, the most important coefficients of the formulae have been determined. The individual measurements are represented to about 2°.2. In the mean, the model seems to have an accuracy of about 1°, this number being confirmed by observations by the satellite METEOSAT.Finally, we give a tentative frequency function of the lunar slopes that is consitent with the temperature model.     

A motivating exploration on lunar craters and low-energy dynamics in the Earth–Moon system

It is known that most of the craters on the surface of the Moon were created by the collision of minor bodies of the Solar System. Main Belt Asteroids, which can approach the terrestrial planets as a consequence of different types of resonance, are actually the main responsible for this phenomenon. Our aim is to investigate the impact distributions on the lunar surface that low-energy dynamics can provide. As a first approximation, we exploit the hyberbolic invariant manifolds associated with the central invariant manifold around the equilibrium point L ₂ of the Earth–Moon system within the framework of the Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem. Taking transit trajectories at several energy levels, we look for orbits intersecting the surface of the Moon and we attempt to define a relationship between longitude and latitude of arrival and lunar craters density. Then, we add the gravitational effect of the Sun by considering the Bicircular Restricted Four-Body Problem. In the former case, as main outcome, we observe a more relevant bombardment at the apex of the lunar surface, and a percentage of impact which is almost constant and whose value depends on the assumed Earth–Moon distance d_EM. In the latter, it seems that the Earth–Moon and Earth–Moon–Sun relative distances and the initial phase of the Sun θ ₀ play a crucial role on the impact distribution. The leading side focusing becomes more and more evident as d_EM decreases and there seems to exist values of θ ₀ more favorable to produce impacts with the Moon. Moreover, the presence of the Sun makes some trajectories to collide with the Earth. The corresponding quantity floats between 1 and 5 percent. As further exploration, we assume an uniform density of impact on the lunar surface, looking for the regions in the Earth–Moon neighbourhood these colliding trajectories have to come from. It turns out that low-energy ejecta originated from high-energy impacts are also responsible of the phenomenon we are considering.     

The sodium tail of the Moon

During the few days centered about new Moon, the lunar surface is optically hidden from Earth-based observers. However, the Moon still offers an observable: an extended sodium tail. The lunar sodium tail is the escaping “hot” component of a coma-like exosphere of sodium generated by photon-stimulated desorption, solar wind sputtering and meteoroid impact. Neutral sodium atoms escaping lunar gravity experience solar radiation pressure that drives them into the anti-solar direction forming a comet-like tail. During new Moon time, the geometry of the Sun, Moon and Earth is such that the anti-sunward sodium flux is perturbed by the terrestrial gravitational field resulting in its focusing into a dense core that extends beyond the Earth. An all-sky camera situated at the El Leoncito Observatory (CASLEO) in Argentina has been successfully imaging this tail through a sodium filter at each lunation since April 2006. This paper reports on the results of the brightness of the lunar sodium tail spanning 31 lunations between April 2006 and September 2008. Brightness variability trends are compared with both sporadic and shower meteor activity, solar wind proton energy flux and solar near ultra violet (NUV) patterns for possible correlations. Results suggest minimal variability in the brightness of the observed lunar sodium tail, generally uncorrelated with any single source, yet consistent with a multi-year period of minimal solar activity and non-intense meteoric fluxes.     

月球卫星轨道变化的分析解

由于月球自转缓慢及其引力位的特点,使得讨论月球卫星与人造地球卫星轨道变化的方法有所不同。     

Optical scattering processes observed at the Moon: Predictions for the LADEE Ultraviolet Spectrometer

The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft will orbit the Moon at an altitude of ≈50 km with a payload that includes the Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) instrument, which will obtain high spectral resolution measurements at near-ultraviolet and visible wavelengths (≈231-826 nm). When LADEE/UVS observes the lunar limb from within the shadow of the Moon it is anticipated that it will detect a lunar horizon glow (LHG) due to sunlight scattered from submicron exospheric dust, as well as emission lines from exospheric gases (particularly sodium), in the presence of the bright coronal and zodiacal light (CZL) background. A modularized code has been developed at NMSU for simulations of scattered light sources as observed by orbiting instruments in lunar shadow. Predictions for the LADEE UVS and star tracker cameras indicate that LHG, sodium (Na) emission lines, and CZL can be distinguished based on spatial morphology and spectral characteristics, with LHG dominant at blue wavelengths (∼250-450 nm) and small tangent heights. If present, LHG should be readily detected by LADEE/UVS and distinguishable from other sources of optical scattering. Observations from UVS and the other instruments aboard LADEE will significantly advance our understanding of how the Moon interacts with the surrounding space environment; these new insights will be applicable to the many other airless bodies in the solar system.     

Analytical lunar libration tables

We have developed a theory of the rotation of the Moon, for the purpose of obtaining libration series explicitly dependent upon lunar gravitational field model parameters. A nonlinear model is used in which the rigid Moon, whose motion in space is that of the main problem of lunar theory, and whose gravity potential is represented through its third degree harmonics, is torqued by the Earth and Sun. The analytical series are then obtained as Poisson series. Numerical comparisons with Eckhardt's solution are briefly exposed.     

On the analytic lunar and solar perturbations of a near Earth satellite

The disturbing function of the Moon (Sun) is expanded as a sum of products of two harmonic functions, one depending on the position of the satellite and the other on the position of the Moon (Sun). The harmonic functions depending on the position of the perturbing body are developed into trigonometric series with the ecliptic elementsl, l′, F, D and Γ of the lunar theory which are nearly linear with respect to time. Perturbation of elements are in the form of trigonometric series with the ecliptic lunar elements and the equatorial elements ω and Ω of the satellite so that analytic integration is simple and the results accurate over a long period of time.     

Electromagnetic sounding of the moon using Apollo 16 and Lunokhod 2 surface magnetometer observations (preliminary results)

A new technique of deep electromagnetic sounding of the Moon using simultaneous magnetic field measurements at two lunar surface sites is described. The method, used with the assumption that deep electrical conductivity is a function only of lunar radius, has the advantage of allowing calculation of the external driving field from two surface site measurements only, and therefore does not require data from a lunar orbiting satellite. A transient response calculation is presented for the example of a magnetic field discontinuity of February 13, 1973, measured simultaneously by Apollo 16 and Lunokhod 2 surface magnetometers.     

Seismoacoustic lunar fields and lunar electromagnetic (nonthermal) emission

For better insight into lunar radio emissions, observations of the Moon were made during the maximal Geminids meteor shower and during the lunar eclipse without external effects. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out. It was found that the lunar endogenous and exogenous processes are displayed in both the seismic-emission fields and lunar nonthermal electromagnetic emissions. Both types of signals demonstrate good correlation. The seismic and electromagnetic emission processes have common periodicities, some of which determine the internal structure of the Moon. Similar regularities are expected for other bodies of the Solar System.     

The D-CIXS X-ray spectrometer on the SMART-1 mission to the Moon—First results

The SMART-1 mission has recently arrived at the Moon. Its payload includes D-CIXS, a compact X-ray spectrometer. SMART-1 is a technology evaluation mission, and D-CIXS is the first of a new generation of planetary X-ray spectrometers. Novel technologies enable new capabilities for measuring the fluorescent yield of a planetary surface or atmosphere which is illuminated by solar X-rays. During the extended SMART-1 cruise phase, observations of the Earth showed strong argon emission, providing a good source for calibration and demonstrating the potential of the technique. At the Moon, our initial observations over Mare Crisium show a first unambiguous remote sensing of calcium in the lunar regolith. Data obtained are broadly consistent with current understanding of mare and highland composition. Ground truth is provided by the returned Luna 20 and 24 sample sets.     

The measurements of sky brightness on lunokhod-2

An astrophotometer was used for measurements of lunar sky brightness in visible and ultraviolet range during day and night. The data obtained showed unexpectedly high values of brightness during the lunar day in the visible region. From measurements during lunar ‘twilight’ conditions and from the dependence of excessive flux on cosZ⊙ we have concluded that the effect is due to scattering of solar radiation by dust particles above the surface of the Moon. Some evidence in favour of dust clouds around the Moon is presented.     

Removal of topographic effects from lunar images using Kaguya (LALT) and Earth-based observations

Lunar images acquired at non-zero phase angles show brightness variations caused by both albedo heterogeneities and local topographic slopes of the surface. To distinguish between these two factors, altimetry measurements or photoclinometry data can be used. The distinction is especially important for imagery of phase-function parameters of the Moon. The imagery is a new tool that can be used to study structural anomalies of the lunar surface. To illustrate the removal of the topographic effects from photometric images, we used Earth-based telescopic observations, altimetry measurements carried out with the Kaguya (JAXA) LALT instrument, and a new photoclinometry technique that includes analysis of several images of the same scenes acquired at different phase angles. Using this technique we have mapped the longitudinal component of lunar topography slopes (the component measured along the lines of constant latitude). We have found good correlations when comparing our map with the corresponding data from Kaguya altimetry. The removal of the topographic surface properties allows for the study of the phase-function parameters of the lunar surface, not only for flat mare regions, but for highlands as well.     

Lunar surface electric potential changes associated with traversals through the Earth's foreshock

We report an analysis of one year of Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiment (SIDE) Total Ion Detector (TID) “resonance” events observed between January 1972 and January 1973. The study includes only those events during which upstream solar wind conditions were readily available. The analysis shows that these events are associated with lunar traversals through the dawn flank of the terrestrial magnetospheric bow shock. We propose that the events result from an increase in lunar surface electric potential effected by secondary electron emission due to primary electrons in the Earth's foreshock region (although primary ions may play a role as well). This work establishes (1) the lunar surface potential changes as the Moon moves through the terrestrial bow shock, (2) the lunar surface achieves potentials in the upstream foreshock region that differ from those in the downstream magnetosheath region, (3) these differences can be explained by the presence of energetic electron beams in the upstream foreshock region and (4) if this explanation is correct, the location of the Moon with respect to the terrestrial bow shock influences lunar surface potential.     

Comments on the figure of the moon based on preliminary results from laser altimetry

Range measurements from the orbiting spacecraft to the lunar surface were made during the Apollo 15 mission using a laser altimeter. The measurements were made in a plane inclined at approximately 26° with respect to the lunar equator. Analysis of measurements made during one complete lunar revolution indicates that the figure of the Moon is very complex. The lunar far side appears to be considerably rougher than the near side in this plane. There appears to be a very large depression on the far side centered at approximately 180° longitude. The near-side maria are depressed with respect to surrounding terrae. These data provide some proof that there is a displacement between the center of figure and the center of mass of the Moon.