Lunar crater ejecta distribution and characterization using Mini-RF and LROC-WAC data

摘要

A detailed quantification of ejecta matter for small craters (<6 km) on the basis of its amount of spatial deposition has been attempted in this study. We used scattering information derived from circular polarization ratio (CPR) and displaying intensity (S-1) from Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument on-board Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), to characterize the radar backscatter of a large number of craters from Rimae Sirsalis, a highland-mare mixed region for deriving spatial ejecta blanket coverage. The radar derived ejecta blanket extent has been further compared with the amount derived by optical sensor for understanding and assessing the relative merits. In order to accurately estimate the total ejecta deposition, its characterization into finer and coarser material has also been done. We have studied the relation between the measured ejecta extents to the crater geometrical parameters and observed a strong relation between the crater ejecta extent and crater diameter using power or polynomial function.