The fine-scale lunar magnetic field

Measurements conducted with the aid of the Apollo 15 subsatellite reported by Coleman et al. (1972) showed that the lunar field was detectable at an altitude of 100 km. Since that time there has been much activity in mapping the lunar magnetic field from orbit. A review is presented of the mapping procedure used in producing lunar field maps and an investigation is conducted of the altitude dependence of the lunar magnetic field which significantly affects these maps. Attention is also given to the history of lunar magnetic field maps, the fine-scale maps, low-altitude Apollo 16 maps, the altitude dependence, and the source of the magnetization of the lunar crust. It is found that the strong altitude dependence evident in the records is different for the three components.