Lunar crustal density profile from an analysis of doppler gravity data

Low altitude line-of-sight gravity data obtained by CSM and LM radio tracking during several Apollo missions are used to construct an equispaced normalized vertical gravity net 30 km above selected lunar highland regions. Correlation of local vertical gravity anomalies with craters of different depth reveals a density increase with depth in the upper lunar highland crust. Crustal densities determined in this fashion are in good agreement with other, previously published crustal density values. The nature of the density increase implies a lunar crust consisting of fractured rather than competent rock.