The global albedo of the Moon at 1064 nm from LOLA

作者：P. G. Lucey, G. A. Neumann, M. A. Riner, E. Mazarico, David E. Smith, M. T. Zuber, D. A. Paige, D. B. J. Bussey, J. T. S. Cahill, A. McGovern, P. Isaacson, L. M. Corley, M. H. Torrence, H. J. Melosh, J. W. Head, Eakhwan Song · 发表于：Journal of Geophysical Research Planets · 年份：2014 · DOI：10.1002/2013je004592 · 被引用次数：132 · 研究领域：Planetary Science and Exploration、Astro and Planetary Science、Space exploration and regulation

The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) measures the backscattered energy of the returning altimetric laser pulse at its wavelength of 1064 nm, and these data are used to map the reflectivity of the Moon at zero-phase angle with a photometrically uniform data set. Global maps have been produced at 4 pixels per degree (about 8 kilometers at the equator) and 2 kilometers resolution within 20 deg latitude of each pole. The zero-phase geometry is insensitive to lunar topography, so these data enable characterization of subtle variations in lunar albedo, even at high latitudes where such measurements are not possible with the Sun as the illumination source. The geometric albedo of the Moon at 1064 nm was estimated from these data with absolute calibration derived from the Kaguya Multiband Imager and extrapolated to visual wavelengths. The LOLA estimates are within 2 sigma of historical measurements of geometric albedo. No consistent latitude-dependent variations in reflectance are observed, suggesting that solar wind does not dominate space weathering processes that modify lunar reflectance. The average normal albedo of the Moon is found to be much higher than that of Mercury consistent with prior measurements, but the normal albedo of the lunar maria is similar to that of Mercury suggesting a similar abundance of space weathering products. Regions within permanent shadow in the polar regions are found to be more reflective than polar surfaces that are sometimes illuminated. Limi...