A Study of the Depolarization of Lunar Radar Echoes

Hagfors, T.

doi:10.1002/rds196725445

Cited by 68 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…In addition, a single reflection from a rough surface-to-vacuum interface, typical for the terrestrial planets, does not produce high reflection amplitude nor significant change of the wave polarization state in the experimental planetary radar studies (Black, Campbell, & Ostro, 2001;Hagfors, 1967). Both anomalously high radar albedo and strong depolarization of radar pulses are typical for Galilean satellites of Jupiter (Ostro & Shoemaker, 1990).…”

Section: 1002/2017rs006265mentioning

confidence: 84%

CLUSIM: A Synthetic Aperture Radar Clutter Simulator for Planetary Exploration

et al. 2017

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In this paper we present the CLUtter SIMulator (CLUSIM), a special program simulating radar side echoes from rough planetary surfaces using realistic topography data sets. A numerical model of realistic topography of the Martian surface, based on Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data, is developed. A specially developed computer routine for evaluation of wideband radar echoes reflected from rough surfaces, capable of aperture synthesis simulation, is described. A synthetic radargram for a portion of Mars Express (MEX) orbit 9466 is computed and validated against experimental data obtained by the MARSIS radar instrument. Finally, a previously developed ionospheric phase correction procedure is numerically tested with new simulated echo signals. Impact of the surface clutter on the ionospheric correction procedure is investigated with a direct numerical comparison to a known benchmark result, which shows robustness of the correction algorithm with respect to the surface clutter.

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Section: 1002/2017rs006265mentioning

confidence: 84%

CLUSIM: A Synthetic Aperture Radar Clutter Simulator for Planetary Exploration

et al. 2017

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Circular polarization ratio characteristics of impact craters from Mini‐RF observations and implications for ice detection at the polar regions of the Moon

Cai

2013

JGR Planets

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[1] In an attempt to reduce the ambiguity on radar detection of water ice at the permanently shadowed regions near the lunar poles, radar echo strength and circular polarization ratio (CPR) of impact craters are analyzed using the Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF) radar data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. Eight typical craters, among over 70 craters, are selected and classified into four categories based on their locations and CPR characteristics: polar anomalous, polar fresh, nonpolar anomalous, and nonpolar fresh. The influences on CPR caused by surface slope, rocks, and dielectric constant are analyzed quantitatively using high-resolution topography data and optical images. A two-component mixed model for CPR that consists of a normal surface and a rocky surface is developed to study the effect of rocks that are perched on lunar surface and buried in regolith. Our analyses show that inner wall of a typical bowlshaped crater can give rise to a change of about 30 ı in local incidence angle of radar wave, which can further result in a CPR difference of about 0.2. There is a strong correlation between Mini-RF CPR and rock abundance that is obtained from high-resolution optical images, and predictions from the two-component mixed model match well with the observed CPRs and the estimated rock abundances. Statistical results show that there is almost no apparent difference in CPR characteristics between the polar and nonpolar anomalous craters, or between the polar and nonpolar fresh craters. The enhanced CPR in the interior of anomalous craters is most probably caused by rocks that are perched on lunar surface or buried in regolith, instead of ice deposits as suggested in previous studies.Citation : Fa, W., and Y. Cai (2013), Circular polarization ratio characteristics of impact craters from Mini-RF observations and implications for ice detection at the polar regions of the Moon,

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