THERMAL BEHAVIOR OF ROCKS ON THE LUNAR SURFACE,
Abstract
The thermal behavior of rocks with sizes between 3 millimeters and 3 meters resting on the lunar equator is analyzed during both lunation and eclipse assuming that they emit and absorb radiation according to the Stefan-Boltzmann law. Thermal parameters for the rocks are taken as those of a typical basalt, a choice consistent with the interpretation of the Luna X gamma-ray experiment. Thermal heat exchange between rock and lunar soil is negligible for meter rocks during lunation (and eclipse) and sub-meter rocks during eclipse, but is significant during lunation for rocks < or equivalent 10 cm. Partial imbedding of sub-meter rocks tends to reduce the rock-soil temperature differential during lunation and to keep them warmer than exposed rocks during eclipse. The presence of neither sub-meter rocks (with size-distributions as observed by Surveyor I and III) nor meter rocks should have large effects on earth-based thermal measurements during lunation. During eclipse, sub-meter rocks can produce small but detectable variations in both earth-based and direct, local spacecraft environs measurements. Meter rocks near a spacecraft may emit equivalent 10 times the energy of the surface viewed at lunar sunrise or sunset and hence must be reckoned with when local thermal measurements are interpreted. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0661388
Entities
People
- Edmond C. Roelof
Organizations
- Boeing