Results for the poles of the Moon from Mini-SAR, Chandrayaan-1 mission

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Author Names and Affiliations

First Name:

Paul

Last Name:

Spudis

Institution:

Lunar and Planetary Institute

Co-authors:

B. Bussey, APL, USA

Co-authors:

S. Baloga, Proxemy Research, USA

Co-authors:

B. Butler, NRAO, USA

Co-authors:

L. Carter, Smithsonian Institution, USA

Co-authors:

J. Gillis-Davis, Univ. Hawaii, USA

Co-authors:

E. Heggy, JPL, USA

Co-authors:

R. Kirk, USGS, USA

Co-authors:

C. Neish, APL, USA

Co-authors:

M. Robinson, ASU, USA

Co-authors:

K. Rainey, APL, USA

Co-authors:

T. Thompson, JPL, USA

Co-authors:

B. Thomson, APL, USA

Co-authors:

E. Ustinov, JPL, USA

The Mini-SAR instrument on the Chandaryaan-1 mission collected SAR data for over 95% of the area near both poles of the Moon. The north polar region displays backscatter properties typical for the Moon, with circular polarization ratio (CPR) values in the range of 0.1- 0.3, increasing to >1.0 for young primary impact craters (Fig. 1). These high CPR values likely reflect a high degree of surface roughness associated with these fresh features. We have identified a group of craters in the north polar region that show elevated CPR (between 0.6 and 1.7) in their interiors, but no enhanced CPR in deposits exterior to their rims (typical CPR values ~0.2 to 0.4). Almost all of these features are in permanent sun shadow and correlate with proposed locations of polar ice modeled on the basis of Lunar Prospector neutron data. These relations are consistent with deposits of water ice in these craters. The south polar region shows similar relations, except that it has more extensive low CPR terrain and fewer anomalous high-CPR interior craters. Small areas of high CPR are found in some south pole craters, notably Shoemaker, Haworth and Faustini; these areas appear to be deposits of water ice.

Presenter Information

First Name:

Paul

Last Name:

Spudis

Affiliation:

Lunar and Planetary Institute