Study of Surface Deposits in the Schiller–Schickard Cryptomare Region: Insights From CE-2 MRM Data

Abstract

Evaluating the complex surface deposits of the Schiller-Schickard cryptomare region can enhance our understanding of basaltic volcanic activity and lunar surface evolution. This study utilizes brightness temperature (TB), normalized TB (nTB), and TB difference (dTB) maps generated from the Chang'E (CE)-2 microwave radiometer (MRM) data. The S-S region's surface deposits were also evaluated by combining the datasets from the Lunar Prospector Thorium, Diviner, LOLA, Clementine UV-VIS, Bouguer Gravity, and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Wide Angle Camera. The main research findings are as follows: (1) Based on the TB distribution characteristics of craters, four types of craters are identified in the S-S region. The microwave radiation TB of each type of crater is affected by varying degree of influencing factors. (2) According to the nTB and dTB performances, combined with the distribution of surface compositions and high-density materials, the extent of Mare-like Cryptomare Deposits (MCD) is considered more reasonable. It is speculated that there are at least two different periods of buried mare deposits eruptions in Region MCD. (3) Within Region MCD, two patches with low TB anomaly are discovered. These discoveries advance our knowledge of the Moon's surface evolution.