Comparison of theoretical and observed 3.55 cm wavelength brightness temperature maps of the full moonIn the present paper, a map of the moon's 3.33-cm thermal emission, constructed from observation data, is compared with a map calculated from a detailed model for regolith properties. In an 'observed minus predicted' difference map, two distinct anomalies, each approximately 2 K warmer than their surroundings, are detected. The anomalies are smaller in areal extent than the maria in which they are located (Tranquillitatis and Imbrium). A preliminary analysis, based on calculations of the effects of model parameters on observed brightness temperature, indicates that the two 'hotspots' can be explained by postulating that they are regions possessing a 30 to 40 percent higher than moon-average opacity and that their profile of physical temperature with depth is not necessarily anomalous. On a global scale, a pattern of 'maria warmer than highlands' is presented which exhibits a brightness temperature contrast of approximately 5 K.
Document ID
19800039523
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Keihm, S. J. (Science Applications, Inc. Planetary Science Institute, Pasadena, Calif., United States)
Gary, B. L. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)