Variability of Hydration Across the Southern Hemisphere of the Moon as Observed by Deep Impact ...

• Main Authors: Laferriere, K. L., Sunshine, J. M., Feaga, L. M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2022
• Subjects: South pole
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.13016/dspace/ytuv-nufu; https://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/30606

Measurements of the 3 μm absorption feature, associated with the presence of hydroxyl and potentially molecular water, were first observed in 2009 by three separate spacecraft’ observations. Subsequent observations have revealed widespread but variable hydration over the sunlit regions of the Moon. The variability can help to disentangle the individual contributions of OH and H2O to the 3 μm absorption feature and provide insight into the mechanism of production and loss of OH/H2O on the lunar surface. We investigate the spatial and diurnal variations of hydration on the southern hemisphere of the Moon as observed by the Deep Impact spacecraft during the lunar flybys in 2009 at spatial scales of 30–70 km/pixel. For a subset of observations of across the lunar south polar region (∼2% of the lunar surface), repeat coverage includes three different times spanning half a lunar day, allowing for exploration of diurnal variability. We determine that OH/H2O is widespread but variable across the lunar south pole. At ...