From Schrödinger to Von Kármán: An Intriguing New Geological Structure Revealed by the Chang'e‐4 Lunar Penetrating Radar

• Published in: Geophysical Research Letters
• Main Authors: Huaqing Cao, Yi Xu, Luyuan Xu, Ling Zhang, Roberto Bugiolacchi, Feng Zhang
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2023
• Subjects: the Moon; ground penetrating radar; Chang'e‐4 mission; impact ejecta; Schrödinger basin; Geophysics. Cosmic physics; QC801-809; South pole
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL101413; https://doaj.org/article/f515b92de7bb4cd28cf8f4cb9f551976

Abstract Since early 2019, the Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR) onboard Chang'e‐4 (CE‐4)’s Yutu‐2 rover has been gathering data relating to the subsurface structure of the Von Kármán crater within the South Pole‐Aitken Basin (SPA) on the lunar farside. Low‐frequency radar data have the potential of carrying geological information of about 300 m worth of strata below the traversed path. Forty‐two days’ data have revealed a bifurcated structure within the layered structure beneath the CE‐4 surveying area for the first time, affecting the overlying reflectors between 90 and 310 m. This study suggests that, based on the morphological characteristics, thickness, depth (timing sequence) and direction of the newly found structure, its origin might be linked to the deposition of ejecta from the Schrödinger impact. The local stratigraphy is interpreted as consisting of distinct geological layers, corresponding to the superposition of ejecta from different impact craters, paleo‐regolith, and basaltic lava flows.