Andrew Yee[_1_]
March 12th 08, 05:19 AM
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
11 March 2008
New lunar south polar maps from SMART-1
Newly-released images of the lunar south-polar region obtained by ESA's
SMART-1 are proving to be wonderful tools to zero-in on suitable study sites
for potential future lunar exploration missions.
SMART-1's Advanced Moon Imaging Experiment (AMIE) has collected many images
of the lunar south-polar region, with unprecedented spatial resolution. The
images, obtained over a full year of changing seasons were used to study the
different levels of solar illumination on the Moon's surface.
The orientation of the lunar rotation axis is such that the Sun just about
grazes the lunar poles, leaving some regions permanently shadowed.
Shackleton crater is located in the inner ring of the south pole Aitken
basin, the largest known impact basin in the solar system. It has a diameter
of 2600 km.
The south pole is located on the rim of Shackleton crater. SMART-1 took
images around the crater, which is a strong contender for a future robotic
and human exploration site and for a permanent human base.
The polar mosaics show geological features of interest within reach from the
south pole. Monitoring of the illumination of selected polar sites has
allowed scientists to confirm that a ridge located 10 km from the Shackleton
rim is prominently illuminated, and could be a strong contender for a
potential future lunar outpost.
The large number of impact craters in the area indicates that the terrain is
ancient. An example is crater Amundsen, 105 km in diameter, lying 100 km
from the pole. It shows central peaks and asymmetric terraces that deserve
geological and geochemistry studies.
The Lunar Prospector mission had previously indicated evidence of enhanced
hydrogen in the permanent shadowed floors of polar craters, possible sign of
water ice -- a relevant element when choosing a human outpost.
As to whether or not ice could still be trapped under the floor of polar
craters, the former SMART-1 Project Scientist Bernard Foing said, "To
understand whether or not water is possibly present at the south pole, we
have to take into account the following factors: how volatile elements were
delivered to the lunar surface by comets or water-rich asteroids, whether
they were destroyed or persisted under a dust cover and for how long they
were able to accumulate."
"The polar regions are still lunar incognita, and it is critical to explore
them and study their geological history," he added.
Using SMART-1 images, SMART-1 AMIE investigators and US collaborators have
also counted small impact craters on Shackleton ejecta blanket to estimate
the age of the crater. They have found that the number of craters is twice
that of Apollo 15 landing site, which would make the Shackleton crater
between 3.9 to 4.3 thousand million years old.
"Previous investigators believed Shackleton to be much younger, but that
could be due to grazing illumination at the poles, which enhances the
topography, mimicking a younger crater."
So, in view of SMART-1 observations, the south polar site looks even more
interesting with the confirmation of prominently-lit sites, and the
indication of old craters where ice could have had more time to accumulate
in permanently-shadowed areas.
"The SMART-1 south polar maps indicate very exciting targets for science and
future exploration, within travel reach from a rover or humans at the south
pole," says Jean-Luc Josset, Principal Investigator for the AMIE.
Notes for editors:
These high-resolution SMART-1 south polar mosaics were produced and analysed
in the framework of a study project for the design and operations of lunar
polar robotic landers and rovers, by Marina Ellouzi, a Master's student in
space engineering at the Paris-Meudon Observatory. The south polar mosaics,
SMART-1 highlights, and results on the geology and illumination of
Shackleton crater are being presented and discussed by the SMART-1 AMIE team
and collaborators at the 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference at
League City, Texas between 11-12 March 2008.
For more information:
Bernard Foing, ESA SMART-1 Project scientist
Email: Bernard.Foing @ esa.int
Jean-Luc Josset, SMART-1 AMIE Principal Investigator
Space-X Space Exploration Institute
Email: Jean-Luc.Josset @ space-x.ch
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM1S6M5NDF_index_1.html ]
http://www.esa.int
11 March 2008
New lunar south polar maps from SMART-1
Newly-released images of the lunar south-polar region obtained by ESA's
SMART-1 are proving to be wonderful tools to zero-in on suitable study sites
for potential future lunar exploration missions.
SMART-1's Advanced Moon Imaging Experiment (AMIE) has collected many images
of the lunar south-polar region, with unprecedented spatial resolution. The
images, obtained over a full year of changing seasons were used to study the
different levels of solar illumination on the Moon's surface.
The orientation of the lunar rotation axis is such that the Sun just about
grazes the lunar poles, leaving some regions permanently shadowed.
Shackleton crater is located in the inner ring of the south pole Aitken
basin, the largest known impact basin in the solar system. It has a diameter
of 2600 km.
The south pole is located on the rim of Shackleton crater. SMART-1 took
images around the crater, which is a strong contender for a future robotic
and human exploration site and for a permanent human base.
The polar mosaics show geological features of interest within reach from the
south pole. Monitoring of the illumination of selected polar sites has
allowed scientists to confirm that a ridge located 10 km from the Shackleton
rim is prominently illuminated, and could be a strong contender for a
potential future lunar outpost.
The large number of impact craters in the area indicates that the terrain is
ancient. An example is crater Amundsen, 105 km in diameter, lying 100 km
from the pole. It shows central peaks and asymmetric terraces that deserve
geological and geochemistry studies.
The Lunar Prospector mission had previously indicated evidence of enhanced
hydrogen in the permanent shadowed floors of polar craters, possible sign of
water ice -- a relevant element when choosing a human outpost.
As to whether or not ice could still be trapped under the floor of polar
craters, the former SMART-1 Project Scientist Bernard Foing said, "To
understand whether or not water is possibly present at the south pole, we
have to take into account the following factors: how volatile elements were
delivered to the lunar surface by comets or water-rich asteroids, whether
they were destroyed or persisted under a dust cover and for how long they
were able to accumulate."
"The polar regions are still lunar incognita, and it is critical to explore
them and study their geological history," he added.
Using SMART-1 images, SMART-1 AMIE investigators and US collaborators have
also counted small impact craters on Shackleton ejecta blanket to estimate
the age of the crater. They have found that the number of craters is twice
that of Apollo 15 landing site, which would make the Shackleton crater
between 3.9 to 4.3 thousand million years old.
"Previous investigators believed Shackleton to be much younger, but that
could be due to grazing illumination at the poles, which enhances the
topography, mimicking a younger crater."
So, in view of SMART-1 observations, the south polar site looks even more
interesting with the confirmation of prominently-lit sites, and the
indication of old craters where ice could have had more time to accumulate
in permanently-shadowed areas.
"The SMART-1 south polar maps indicate very exciting targets for science and
future exploration, within travel reach from a rover or humans at the south
pole," says Jean-Luc Josset, Principal Investigator for the AMIE.
Notes for editors:
These high-resolution SMART-1 south polar mosaics were produced and analysed
in the framework of a study project for the design and operations of lunar
polar robotic landers and rovers, by Marina Ellouzi, a Master's student in
space engineering at the Paris-Meudon Observatory. The south polar mosaics,
SMART-1 highlights, and results on the geology and illumination of
Shackleton crater are being presented and discussed by the SMART-1 AMIE team
and collaborators at the 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference at
League City, Texas between 11-12 March 2008.
For more information:
Bernard Foing, ESA SMART-1 Project scientist
Email: Bernard.Foing @ esa.int
Jean-Luc Josset, SMART-1 AMIE Principal Investigator
Space-X Space Exploration Institute
Email: Jean-Luc.Josset @ space-x.ch
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM1S6M5NDF_index_1.html ]