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Photometry and Polarimetry of the Lunar Regolith as Measured by Surveyor
Author(s) -
Holt Henry E.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs005i002p00157
Subject(s) - regolith , geology , lunar soil , photometry (optics) , lunar mare , basalt , polarimetry , remote sensing , mineralogy , astronomy , physics , optics , geochemistry , stars , scattering
Photometric and polarimetric properties of lunar soil and rock fragments were determined from Surveyor pictures. High resolution measurements (centimeter scale) revealed differences in the photometric functions of various materials concomitant with probable different fine‐scale surface textures. The photometric function of the light, undisturbed fine‐grained lunar soil is similar to the function measured through an earth‐based telescope (kilometer resolution), whereas the darker, disturbed soil has a more peaked backscatter function, and smooth compressed soil has more Lambertian‐like reflectivity. Most rock fragments seem to have essentially dust‐free surfaces and a Lambertian‐like photometric function; their normal albedos are estimated to range from 9 to 22%. The polarimetric function of lunar soil is similar to that of basalt and gabbro powdered to a grain size of 30 to 75 μ. Lunar rocks reflecting strongly polarized light (up to 34% polarized) have the highest albedos. The observed polarimetric function of lunar rocks is more similar to that of basalt and gabbro than any other common rock type.