LUNAR RADIATION AT 3.2 MILLIMETERS AND A LUNAR MODEL,
Abstract
The measurement of 3.2-mm lunar emission tempera tures during lunations and the measurement of 4.3-mm electromagnetic characteristics of earth type pumice and granite are reported. The re sults of these measurements and similar measure ments at other wavelengths are interpreted in terms of the physical characteristics of the material at and near the surface of the moon. The average physical characteristics of the cen tral lunar area are typified by a surface stratum of pumice 30 cm thick, or a dust 3 cm thick, or a combination of pumice and dust of intermediate thickness. The surface stratum pumice is about one-tenth the density of earth-type pumice. The phase delay of RF temperatures relative to in frared temperatures could be associated with a varying subsurface stratum temperature induced by pulsating flows of sublunar surface thermal energy into the subsurface stratum under the stimulus of solar heating and cooling of the surface stratum. For the heaypothesized model associated with a sublunar surface source of thermal energy, the substrata consists of approximately 90 cm of pum ice one-third the density of earth pumice based on a more dense material such as basalt. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 15, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0417910
Entities
People
- Charles W. Tolbert
- Gary T. Coats
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin