Observations of the Radar Scattering (Phase) Function of Copernican Crater Ejecta on The Moon Using Mini-RF
Abstract
The Mini-RF radar is current operating in a bistatic configuration and examining a variety of lunar terrains as a function of bistatic angle. Here, we examine the ejecta blankets of very young craters on the lunar surface in both S- and X-band to examine the scattering properties of young crater ejecta. Several observed craters exhibit a clear upturn in CPR value at low bistatic angles (e.g., an opposition effect), which is consistent with optical studies of lunar soils done in the laboratory. These observations are the first time this effect has been measured on the Moon at radar wavelengths. Differences in the CPR behaviour as a function of bistatic angle may also provide opportunities for relative age dating between Copernican craters.
- Publication:
-
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019
- Pub Date:
- September 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019EPSC...13..622S