Lunar regolith modeling based on Chang'E microwave brightness temperature measurements

Abstract

In this thesis, we propose an approach of estimating lunar regolith properties by using multichannel brightness temperature T_B observation in passive microwave remote sensing and a simulation of heat diffusion and radiative transfer models. The scheme determines the physical properties by optimizing the modeled brightness temperatures against the Chang’E (CE) microwave soundings at 3.0, 7.8, 19.35 and 37 GHz channels with various lunar regolith physical parameters such as density profile ρ, specific heat c, thermal conductivity κ and FeO+TiO₂ abundance S. It has been found that the diurnal variance in brightness temperatures depends crucially on the Fe-Ti-oxides abundance. Furthermore, by comparison between the modeled and measured brightness temperatures, as well as the measurements in CE1 and CE2 satellites around the Apollo 15 site, a systematic shift in the measured brightness temperatures of the CE soundings can be concluded. In addition, the simulation results suggest that the penetration depths of the microwave channels of CE soundings are insufficient to accurately determine regolith thickness. It is hoped that this optimization approach can give an alternative framework for data calibration and validation of future remote sensing measurements, as well as an intuitive method for determination of physical quantity via passive remote sensing technology.

Date of Award	2013
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology