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Lunar Seismometer and Burial SystemBeginning in 1969, Apollo successfully deployed a long-lived network of seismometers on the Moon. Seismic studies provide definitive knowledge of internal planetary structure, and analysis of the Apollo seismic data has contributed to the magma ocean hypothesis for initial terrestrial planetary differentiation [Wieczoreket al., 2006]. While the general model is widely accepted, details such as mantle composition, stratification and possible overturn, lateral structure, and thermal inhomogeneities remain unresolved. The Moon experiences moonquakes at varying depths [Nakamura, 1983]. Shallow quakes are relatively large but rare, similar to terrestrial intra-plate earthquakes. Deeper quakes are comparatively smaller but more frequent, occurring periodically according to the tidal cycle. On the Moon, the lack of an atmosphere enables seismic experiments to potentially constrain meteorite impact flux, which informs cratering rates assumed throughout the solar system. The large diurnal temperature variation between day and night also induces thermal moonquakes, which may contribute to regolith production [Duennebier& Sutton, 1974; Weber et al., 2017]. Still, many questions remain regarding the frequency and distribution of natural moonquakes. This translates into an incomplete understanding of the Moon’s hemispherical dichotomies in crustal thickness, mare volcanism, seismicity, and the distribution of heat-producing elements. The Planetary Decadal Survey (National Research Council, 2013) identifies a New Frontiers Lunar Geophysical Network (LGN) mission to answer such questions.
Document ID
20190018069
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Poster
Authors
Bailey, S. H.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Weber, R.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Dellagiustina, D. N.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Zacny, K.
(Honeybee Robotics Brooklyn, NY, United States)
Schmerr, N. C.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Siegler, M. A.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Bray, V. J.
(Institut Superieur de l'Aeronautique et de l'Espace Toulouse, France)
Murdoch, N.
(Institut Superieur de l'Aeronautique et de l'Espace Toulouse, France)
Neal, C
(Notre Dame Univ. Notre Dame, IN, United States)
Date Acquired
May 10, 2019
Publication Date
April 23, 2019
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
MSFC-E-DAA-TN67862
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2019 SSA Annual Meeting
Location: Seattle, WA
Country: United States
Start Date: April 23, 2019
End Date: April 26, 2019
Sponsors: Seismological Society of America (SSA)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
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