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The Miniature Radio Frequency Instruments (Mini-RF) Global Observations of Earth's MoonRadar provides a unique means to analyze the surface and subsurface physical properties of geologic deposits, including their wavelength-scale roughness, the relative depth of the deposits, and some limited compositional information. The NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's (LRO) Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument has enabled these analyses on the Moon at a global scale. Mini-RF has accumulated 67% coverage of the lunar surface in S-band (12.6 cm) radar with a resolution of 30 m/pixel. Here we present new Mini-RF global orthorectified uncontrolled S-band maps of the Moon and use them for analysis of lunar surface physical properties. Reported here are readily apparent global- and regional-scale differences in lunar surface physical properties that suggest three distinct terranes, namely: a (1) Nearside Radar Dark Region; (2) Orientale basin and continuous ejecta; and the (3) Highlands Radar Bright Region. Integrating these observations with new data from LRO's Diviner Radiometer rock abundance maps, as well Clementine and Lunar Prospector derived compositional values show multiple distinct lunar surface terranes and sub-terranes based upon both physical and compositional surface properties. Previous geochemical investigations of the Moon suggested its crust is best divided into three to four basic crustal provinces or terranes (Feldspathic Highlands Terrane (-An and -Outer), Procellarum KREEP Terrane, and South Pole Aitken Terrane) that are distinct from one another. However, integration of these geochemical data sets with new geophysical data sets allows us to refine these terranes. The result shows a more complex view of these same crustal provinces and provides valuable scientific and hazard perspectives for future targeted human and robotic exploration.
Document ID
20160008401
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cahill, Joshua T. S.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Thomson, B. J.
(Boston Univ. Boston, MA, United States)
Patterson, G. Wesley
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Bussey, D. Benjamin J.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Neish, Catherine D.
(Florida Inst. of Technology Melbourne, FL, United States)
Lopez, Norberto R.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Turner, F. Scott
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Aldridge, T.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
McAdam, M.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Meyer, H. M.
(Arizona State Univ. Phoenix, AZ, United States)
Raney, R. K.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Carter, L. M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Spudis, P. D.
(Lunar and Planetary Inst. Houston, TX, United States)
Hiesinger, H.
(Westfaelische Wilhelms Univ. Muenster, Germany)
Pasckert, J. H.
(Westfaelische Wilhelms Univ. Muenster, Germany)
Date Acquired
July 1, 2016
Publication Date
August 21, 2014
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Publisher: Science Direct
Volume: 243
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN21227
Funding Number(s)
TASK: NNN10AA19T
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNN06AA01C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Radar observations
Cratering Volcanism
Moon

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