high quality elemental maps of the Moon
Robert C. ReedyNASA Lunar and Planetary Science United States P.I.High-Quality Elemental Maps of the Moon from Analyses of Advanced Orbital Gamma-Ray Data
The proposed 2-year research program by Dr. Robert C. Reedy of the Planetary Science Institute will use measurements by the advanced gamma-ray spectrometer on the Japanese Kaguya (SELENE) lunar orbiter to obtain high-quality maps of as many elements as possible. Kaguya¿s polar orbit covers the whole Moon with the best coverage near the poles. Kaguya carries the first germanium (Ge) gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) that has been at the Moon. As shown with the GeGRS on Mars Odyssey, high-quality maps of many elements can be prepared from such measurements. The main tasks for the first year will help to get the best elemental results from the Kaguya GRS, including improved modeling of the gamma-ray fluxes from the Moon, determination of backgrounds, analyses of the measured spectra, and assisting in getting all data needed to convert the gamma-ray measurements to high-quality elemental results. This work will be done with the Kaguya GRS team, especially my collaborators Drs. O. Gasnault, N. Yamashita, and Y. Karouji. After those elemental results are prepared and formally released, work will be done on comparing those results with previous GRS results and with other orbital results. Work will also be done in applying the elemental results from the Kaguya GRS to several lunar problems, such as the distribution of lunar hydrogen. This work on H will be done with the Kaguya GRS team and with collaborator Dr. T. Prettyman. All of the proposed work will considerably improve our knowledge of the Moon¿s composition, enable a better understanding of the Moon, help locate in situ lunar resources, and aid in planning future lunar missions.
The proposed 2-year research program by Dr. Robert C. Reedy of the Planetary Science Institute will use measurements by the advanced gamma-ray spectrometer on the Japanese Kaguya (SELENE) lunar orbiter to obtain high-quality maps of as many elements as possible. Kaguya¿s polar orbit covers the whole Moon with the best coverage near the poles. Kaguya carries the first germanium (Ge) gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) that has been at the Moon. As shown with the GeGRS on Mars Odyssey, high-quality maps of many elements can be prepared from such measurements. The main tasks for the first year will help to get the best elemental results from the Kaguya GRS, including improved modeling of the gamma-ray fluxes from the Moon, determination of backgrounds, analyses of the measured spectra, and assisting in getting all data needed to convert the gamma-ray measurements to high-quality elemental results. This work will be done with the Kaguya GRS team, especially my collaborators Drs. O. Gasnault, N. Yamashita, and Y. Karouji. After those elemental results are prepared and formally released, work will be done on comparing those results with previous GRS results and with other orbital results. Work will also be done in applying the elemental results from the Kaguya GRS to several lunar problems, such as the distribution of lunar hydrogen. This work on H will be done with the Kaguya GRS team and with collaborator Dr. T. Prettyman. All of the proposed work will considerably improve our knowledge of the Moon¿s composition, enable a better understanding of the Moon, help locate in situ lunar resources, and aid in planning future lunar missions.
