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Bistatic Radar Measurements of Topographic Variations in Lunar Surface Slopes With Explorer 35
Author(s) -
Tyler G. L.,
Simpson R. A.
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/rs005i002p00263
Subject(s) - impact crater , geology , longitude , geology of the moon , lunar mare , radar , remote sensing , scale (ratio) , bistatic radar , geodesy , latitude , radar imaging , seismology , astrobiology , geography , physics , telecommunications , computer science , cartography , basalt
Bistatic radar observations of the lunar surface conducted with Explorer 35 at 2.2 meters have been used to measure the average large‐scale (tens to hundreds of meters) lunar slopes. Data obtained for the equatorial band between 70° east and west longitude show significant (3:1) regional variations. Unidirectional rms slopes of 2°, 3°, and 6° were obtained for Mare Fecunditatis and Oceanus Procellarum, the central highlands and terra surrounding the crater Alfraganus, and the Censorinus highlands, respectively. A comparison of the slope variations and visible surface structure suggests that the meter wavelength radar slopes are those of the visible surface measured on the set of scales given above.