Photometric anomalies of the lunar surface studied with SMART-1 AMIE data

Cometary impact effects at the Moon: Implications for lunar swirl formation

“…Both the high albedo and unique regolith texture observed within bright areas of lunar swirls can be explained by a scouring mechanism, which disrupts the delicate fairy-castle structure of the regolith through preferential lofting of smaller dust grains. This will brighten the surface through soil compaction and reduction of shadowing effects (Hapke and Hoen, 1963;Hapke, 1981) and is consistent with the anomalous regolith textures indicated by the swirls' peculiar phase functions (Schultz and Srnka, 1980;Pinet et al, 2000;Kreslavsky and Shkuratov, 2003;Kaydash et al, 2009). The regolith structure in swirls, revealed by photometric and spectroscopic study, can be explained by removal of the finest fraction of grains, <45 lm (Pinet et al, 2000).…”

“…More recent photometric studies support the observation that lunar swirl regions are described by unusual phase functions (Pinet et al, 2000;Kreslavsky and Shkuratov, 2003;Kaydash et al, 2009), which depart from expected values at large phase angles. This effect implies physical alteration of the regolith structure has occurred; since optical maturity only controls sub-micron regolith structure, the swirls' high reflectance cannot be attributed to differential space weathering effects (Schultz and Srnka, 1980;Kaydash et al, 2009). This is a key point of this paper.…”

The apparent lack of lunar-like swirls on Mercury: Implications for the formation of lunar swirls and for the agent of space weathering

“…Swirls are also found on the lunar highlands (e.g., El-Baz, 1972;Hood and Williams, 1989;Richmond et al, 2003;Blewett et al, 2007). Some swirls have been identified as having anomalous photometric properties (e.g., Kreslavsky and Shkuratov, 2003;Kaydash et al, 2009;Shkuratov et al, 2010).…”

Toward a global space exploration program: A stepping stone approach

“…SMART-1 provided advances in our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon by studying surface composition, bombardment history (see Figure 1), volcanism and the morphology of large basins (Foing et al 2008). SMART-1 reported major element data of the lunar surface from the D-CIXS instrument (e.g., Grande et al 2007, Swinyard et al 2009), and multi-angular imagery of selected targets (e.g., Kaydash et al 2009). A coordinated campaign permitted to observe the flash and debris from the SMART-1 controlled grazing impact in 2006 (Burchell et al 2010).…”