Band‐limited Bouguer gravity identifies new basins on the Moon. Issue 6 (28th June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Featherstone, W. E.; Hirt, C.; Kuhn, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 118:Issue 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 1397
• Page End: 1413
• Publication Date: 2013-06-28
• Subjects: lunar gravity -- lunar topography -- band‐limited gravity -- lunar basins; Planets -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 559.9
• DOI: 10.1002/jgre.20101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9097

Abstract

Abstract : [1] Spectral domain forward modeling is used to generate topography‐implied gravity for the Moon using data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter instrument operated on board the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. This is subtracted from Selenological and Engineering Explorer (SELENE)‐derived gravity to generate band‐limited Bouguer gravity maps of the Moon so as to enhance the gravitational signatures of anomalous mass densities nearer the surface. This procedure adds evidence that two previously postulated basins on the lunar farside, Fitzgerald‐Jackson (25°N, 191°E) and to the east of Debye (50°N, 180°E), are indeed real. When applied over the entire lunar surface, band‐limited Bouguer gravity reveals the locations of 280 candidate basins that have not been identified when using full‐spectrum gravity or topography alone, showing the approach to be of utility. Of the 280 basins, 66 are classified as distinct from their band‐limited Bouguer gravity and topographic signatures, making them worthy of further investigation. Key Points: Band‐limited gravity enhances mapping of lunar basins 280 candidate basins located 66 of these 280 are postulated to be distinct basins