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Measuring and distinguishing compositional and maturity properties of lunar soils by remote VIS-NIR spectroscopySpace weathering on the lunar surface affects the spectra/optical character of an exposed lunar soil in three ways: the reflectance is reduced, absorption band depths are reduced, and a red-sloped continuum is created and increased with exposure. As a result, the spectrum of a lunar soil is dependent upon both the degree of exposure at the lunar surface and the original composition. It is critical to the remote analysis of lunar soils to differentiate between the optical effects of maturity and the effects of composition. In the laboratory, it is possible to determine and consequently distinguish the degree of exposure, or soil maturity, as measured by parameters such as I(sub s)/FeO (e.g., 1; mature defined as I(sub s)/FeO greater than or equal to 60), and the composition, as measured by various chemical and petrographical techniques. Lunar soils returned by the Apollo missions provide important ground truth for developing methods for remotely measuring the maturity and the concentration of Fe-bearing minerals in lunar soil. The ground truth spectral data analyzed are from the John Adams lunar soil spectra collection. Soils collected from or near highland terrains are emphasized in the discussion. The mineralogical makeup of mare soils results in behavior somewhat different from highland soils.
Document ID
19940007779
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Fischer, Erich M.
(Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Pieters, Carle M.
(Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Twenty-fourth Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Part 1: A-F 477-478 (SEE N94-12015 01-91)
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
94N12251
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-28
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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