Lithological mapping of Eratosthenes crater region using Moon Mineralogy Mapper of Chandrayaan-1. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumaresan, P.R.; Saravanavel, J.; Palanivel, K.
• Is Part Of: Planetary and space science. Volume 182(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Moon mineralogy mapper -- Lunar lithology -- Eratosthenes crater -- Mineralogical discrimination; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Atmosphere, Upper -- Periodicals; Sciences spatiales -- Périodiques; Haute atmosphère -- Périodiques; 523
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2019.104817
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-0633

Abstract

Abstract: Selenological exploration (lunar geology) involves mapping and delineation of different rock types and minerals present in the Moon. Various lunar missions with multi-spectral sensors provided preliminary information about the lithological and mineralogical occurrences on the Moon. The Chandrayaan-1 Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M 3 ), provided hyperspectral data having high spatial resolution of 140 ​m and 85 continuous spectral bands of Electro Magnetic Spectrum from 430 to 3000 ​nm. This data utilized for identification of distinctive absorption bands near 1000, 1250, 2000 and 2500 ​nm regions. These absorption features are playing vital role in mapping of various minerals and rock types on the lunar surface with higher precision. The present study aimed to map the compositional diversity in and around the Eratosthenes crater region of the lunar surface using M 3 data of Chandrayaan-1. The initial studies carried out using Clementine ultraviolet and visible (UVVIS) warped color-ratio mineral map and M 3 data based band shape, band depth and band ratio algorithms have led to understand the lithological diversity of the study area. These preliminary studies revealed that the Eratosthenes crater region contains mare basalt, anorthosite, highland soil, pyroxene, Olivine, etc. At the next stage, the detailed compositional variability of the study area was analyzed using Spectral Information Divergence (SID) algorithm using various thresholds. Finally, The SID analysis showed that the spatial distribution of olivine, pigeonite, augite and norites present within the study region. The present study further revealed that the SID could be an effective detection tool rather than as a classification tool. Highlights: Eratosthenes crater region vested with divergent mineralogy i.e olivine in central peak, norite in fresh craters of highland regions and fresh craters of mare basalt exhibits clinopyroxene pigeonite and augite. Classified image generated with different thresholds of Spectral Information Divergence (SID) algorithm. Mean spectra collected from 0.1 to 0.5 threshold images were compared with pure end member spectra of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene augite and clinopyroxene pigeonite. Comparative analysis shows that average spectra collected from 0.1 threshold of SID is best match with pure/end member spectra. Classified image generated with 0.1 threshold is best match with the color composite images generated from band shape algorithms and integrated band depth analysis.