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The Lunar Regolith as a Remote Sensing Target for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)Of the 6 instruments and one technology demonstration aboard the LRO, only CRaTER does not measure some kind of interaction of particles with the lunar regolith. LEND detects neutron fluence that contains information about the number density of protons in the upper regolith. To infer the presence of protons, the PI must assume a model that characterizes the surface as a collection of atoms. Thus, LEND does not sense the regolith as a structure. LROC, LOLA, and LAMP sense reflected photons whose wavelength is much shorter than the median particle size in the regolith. The photons interact with electrons, either in atomic shells or in chemical bonds. These interactions occur within a nanometer or so of the surface of a particle. Thus, the particles are macroscopic objects and models of the reflection process invoke ray-tracing optics. DIVINER senses photons that have been emitted by surface particles through thermal phonon processes. The wavelengths detected by the instrument are of the same order as the median particle size, and the photons contain information on particle dimensions as well as the molecular bonds in the constituent compounds. The Mini-RF synthetic aperture radar generates and detects photons of a few centimeters wavelength that interact with the regolith as a dielectric, the dielectric properties of the particulate component being described through effective medium theory. However, the interaction with rocks (macroscopic objects of interest to geologists) can be characterized using Fresnel or Mie models of electromagnetic properties.
Document ID
20090019725
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mendell, Wendell W. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2009
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-18221
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar Reconn. Orbiter Science Targeting Meeting
Location: Tempe, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: June 9, 2009
End Date: June 11, 2009
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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