Theoretical analysis of the electric potential and the electrostatic dust transport around the Shackleton crater in the Lunar south pole region

In recent years,the Lunar south pole region(SPR)has become the focus of future explorations due to its special illumination condition and the possible water ice in permanently shadowed craters around it.The Shackleton crater locates almost exactly at the Moon’s south pole and has become the hottest destination for several landing missions,including the Chang’E-7 mission.However,people still know little about the electric potential and the dust environment around this crater.In this paper,we develop an analytical model to study the surface potential and the electrostatic dust transport around the crater.It is found that the crater’s floor can be negatively charged due to the topographic shielding,and the surface potential is as low as-175 V on the leeward crater wall.Accordingly,a large number of charged dust grains can be emitted from the leeward crater wall,with a maximum height of about 10 km and a horizontal distance of about 40 km,which brings a local dust cloud around the crater.Both the topographic shielding and the local dust cloud are qualitatively verified by a numerical simulation,in which a typical dust density of 10^(4)-10^(5)m^(-3)is found near the crater.Our results are important to the environmental assessment for future explorations near the crater.Furthermore,the results are helpful to understand the surface charging and the electrostatic dust transport on the other airless bodies.

Origin of pit chains in the floor of lunar Copernican craters

There are small pit chains in the floor of lunar Copernican craters. They are usually so small in scale that there are few lunar spacecrafts to detect their detailed morphology. Combining camera data from Lunar Orbiter, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), Kaguya and Chang’e-1 missions, 5 representative large Copernican craters on various terrains of the lunar surface are chosen to study the origin of the pit chains in the crater floor. The morphology and distribution characteristic of the pit chains are referred by the high resolution images in this research. It is suggested that it is the magma activities from the subsurface magma layer combining with the existence of fractures and faults under the crater floor that leaded the formation of the pit chains. The model is further verified and discussed using the regolith thickness data in the crater floor. Our model suggests that the pit chains are still developing in the floor of the Copernican craters and the Moon may not be totally cold. Finally, the model limitation and potential future work are discussed based on available data.

Automatic extraction of lunar impact craters from Chang'E-1 satellite photographs

The distribution characteristics of the impact craters can provide a large amount of information on impact history and the lunar evolution process. In this research, based on the digital elevation model （DEM） data originating from Change＇E-1 CCD stereo camera, three automatic extraction methods for the impact craters are implemented in two research areas： direct extraction from flooded DEM data （the Flooded method）, object-oriented extraction from DEM data by using ENVI ZOOM function （the Object-Oriented method） and novel object-oriented extraction from flooded DEM data （the Flooded Object-Oriented method）. Accuracy assessment, extracted degree computation, cumulative frequency analysis, shape and age analysis of the extracted craters combined display the following results. （1） The Flooded Object-Oriented method yields better accuracy than the other two methods in the two research areas; the extraction result of the Flooded method offers the similar accuracy to that of the Object-Oriented method. （2） The cumulative frequency curves for the extracted craters and the confirmed craters share a simi- lar change trajectory. （3） The number of the impact craters extracted by the three methods in the Imbrian period is the largest and is of various types; as to their age earlier than lmbrain, it is difficult to extract because they could have been destroyed.

A rocky hill on the continuous ejecta of Ziwei crater revealed by the Chang’e-3 mission

The Chinese Chang’e-3 mission landed close to the eastern rim of the ~450 m diameter Ziwei crater. Regional stratigraphy of the landing site and impact excavation model suggest that the bulk continuous ejecta deposits of the Ziwei crater are composed by Erathothenian-aged mare basalts. Along the traverse of the Yutu rover, the western segment features a gentle topographic uplift(~0.5 m high over ~4 m), which is spatially connected with the structurally-uplifted crater rim. Assuming that this broad topographic uplift has physical properties discontinuous with materials below, we use data returned by the high-frequency lunar penetrating radar onboard the Yutu rover to estimate the possible range of relative permittivity for this topographic uplift. Only when the relative permittivity is ~9 is the observed radar reflection consistent with the observed topography, suggesting that the topographic uplift is composed of basaltic blocks that were excavated by the Ziwei crater. This result is consistent both with the impact excavation model that predicts deeper basaltic materials being deposited closer to the crater rim, and with observation of numerous half-buried boulders on the surface of this hill. We note that this study is the first to use topography and radargram data to estimate the relative permittivity of lunar surface uplifts, an approach that has had many successful applications on Mars. Similar approaches can apply other ground penetrating radar data for the Moon, such as will be available from the ongoing Chang’e-4 mission.

Automated detection of lunar craters based on object-oriented approach

The object-oriented approach is a powerful method in making classification. With the segmentation of images to objects, many features can be calculated based on the objects so that the targets can be distinguished. However, this method has not been applied to lunar study. In this paper we attempt to apply this method to detecting lunar craters with promising results. Craters are the most obvious features on the moon and they are important for lunar geologic study. One of the important questions in lunar research is to estimate lunar surface ages by examination of crater density per unit area. Hence, proper detection of lunar craters is necessary. Manual crater identification is inefficient, and a more efficient and effective method is needed. This paper describes an object-oriented method to detect lunar craters using lunar reflectance images. In the method, many objects were first segmented from the image based on size, shape, color, and the weights to every layer. Then the feature of "contrast to neighbor objects" was selected to identify craters from the lunar image. In the next step, by merging the adjacent objects belonging to the same class, almost every crater can be taken as an independent object except several very big craters in the study area. To remove the crater rays diagnosed as craters, the feature of "length/width" was further used with suitable parameters to finish recognizing craters. Finally, the result was exported to ArcGIS for manual modification to those big craters and the number of craters was acquired.

The modeling analysis of microwave emission from stratified media of non-uniform lunar cratered terrain surface for Chinese Chang-E1 observation

In China's first lunar exploration project,Chang-E 1,the multi-channel (3.0,7.8,19.35,37 GHz) microwave radiometers were aboard the satellite,with the purpose of measuring microwave brightness temperature from lunar surface and surveying the global distribution of lunar regolith layer thickness,and global evaluation of 3He content.To analyze the modeling of microwave radiative transfer from three-layered media of lunar surface,some factors,such as the cratered lunar surface roughness,scattering of regolith particulate medium with temperature profile,are discussed.Based on the statistics of the lunar cratered terrain and using Monte Carlo (MC) method,the cratered lunar surfaces are numerically generated.The triangulated network is utilized to divide the undulated lunar surface into discrete triangle meshes with the size 10 m as a digital surface topography.The reflectivities of each plane mesh are calculated,and the average reflectivity for all MC-realized lunar surfaces is obtained.It is found that under the spatial resolution of 30 km×30 km of Chang-E 1 radiometer observation,the lunar surface can be well modeled as a flat surface.It makes the predominance of the parameters,such as the regolith layer thickness and stratified structures,to be studied.Using the radiative transfer equation of stratified media with dense scatterers,the scattering coefficient of the regolith particulate medium is found negligible,and the emission is mainly governed by the absorptive property of the medium.Brightness temperature of multi-layered media,i.e.lunar soil,regolith layer with temperature profile and underlying rock media,are derived and calculated,and relevant main factors to affect the modeling and emission simulation are analyzed.

Latest Scientific Results of China's Lunar Exploration Program

Through the implementation of China's Lunar Exploration Program(CLEP), a large amount of data has been acquired. This paper will present the latest scientific results based on these data involving the composition, topography, space environment, subsurface structure of the Moon, and asteroid exploration and moon-based observations, etc.

月球探测器鲁棒环形山检测及光学导航方法

针对月球探测器环形山检测方法受光照影响、鲁棒性差的问题,本文提出一种基于极大熵阈值三值化的鲁棒环形山检测算法。采用不同滤波核对图像进行去噪平滑,然后对处理后的图像进行极大熵阈值分割、将图像信息三值化,去除图像对光源的敏感性,同时最大程度保留图像信息;提出一种归一化多指标约束环形山匹配和拟合方法完成环形山提取,将环形山提取算法应用于光学导航中进行打靶实验验证算法实时性表现。仿真结果表明:与传统基于形态学或自适应边缘检测的方法相比,本文方法在较大尺度条件下提取出连续、光滑的环形山边缘,有效环形山数量提升35%以上,同时实时性更好、计算消耗降低40%;基于鲁棒环形山提取的光学导航算法实时性更好。

月球撞击坑的动力学研究

月球探测和月球资源的合理利用引起了广泛关注,月球撞击坑的研究可以提供月球的重要信息.统计研究表明,撞击坑的直径和大于该直径的撞击坑数目之间满足分形分布N(≥D)∝r-FD,撞击坑的深度和撞击坑的直径满足多项式关系d=kdDn.简化月球表面撞击过程为一个简单的完全非弹性碰撞,可以得到撞击的动力学微分方程;对撞击过程的阻力项做非线性近似并忽略非齐次项,可以得到撞击方程的解析解:y=dtanh(kdt).由此得到撞击物的撞击速率随撞击深度二次方减小:v=kd2-ky2,撞击坑形貌方程满足方程:lnr=1nlnkvdT2-nβr.理论推导撞击坑的深度和撞击坑的直径满足多项式关系,这和实际撞击坑的统计结果相符合.在无标度区域,撞击物的速率和大于该撞击速率的撞击物数目之间满足分形关系:N(≥v)∝v-FD,速率分布为:f(v)∝v-(FD+1).

基于多源数据的月球大地构造纲要图编制:以LQ-4地区为例

月球表面的地质构造要素主要包括环形构造、线性构造、地体构造及大型盆地构造等。月球大地构造纲要图从物质组成、构造要素、构造单元上对月表的构造状态进行全面的梳理、统计和分析。利用CE-1CCD 2C像数据、LROC宽视角影像数据、CE-1IIM 2C干涉成像光谱仪数据、Clementine紫外可见光影像数据、LOLA激光高度计数据识别月球表面各类矿物组分、线形构造、环形构造、火山构造和穹窿构造以及确定构造要素和构造单元的时代、古老撞击坑和大型盆地边界以及对月球表面撞击坑形态、大小、分布、密度及月球断裂和环形影像解译,充分认识月表基本情况,精细划分月表构造地貌单元,综合利用上述分析结果与国际上研究的进展,确定大地构造区划的基本原则,厘定月表重大构造事件与演化序列。依据岩石、月壤、构造地貌与构造形迹的综合分类,拟定大地构造区划的图例、图识规范,确定不同类型环形构造影像、线性构造影像、高地、盆地和月海等大地构造单元,进而编制大地构造区划图,并对重点区域构造形迹进行研究。虹湾区域(LQ-4)月球数字构造编图研究,充分借鉴国际行星地质编图的已有技术标准和规范,结合国内数字地质编图的技术标准和规范,建立了中国自己的月球与行星地质编图标准、规范和制图流程,也为最终完成月球大地构造区划提供地貌和构造方面的基础信息。

用于月球车性能仿真的着陆区三维地形构造方法研究

作者旨在虚拟环境下建立包含典型地形特征的月面数字模型,为月球车的合理设计优化及其运动性能检测提供仿真试验平台。经统计分析建立月面撞击坑和石块的数字模型,采用分形布朗运动算法生成月面基础地形,选择基于直径预先确定和随机生成法将撞击坑和石块添加于该地形中生成三维数据;再基于Imageware利用这些数据重构二维图形,以imw格式输入UG构造parasolid格式三维模型;最后,将该模型和月球车CATIA模型导入ADAMS构造可参数化、可重用的月面着陆区仿真环境。试验表明,该着陆区三维模型可实现月球车在凹凸不平月面上的运动学、动力学仿真试验。

基于Apollo图像的月表撞击坑自动提取

撞击坑是月表的主要形貌单元。研究月表撞击坑的形状与分布特征对描述月表撞击过程与演变规律有很大帮助。根据月表撞击坑的真实形状,提出了一套椭圆形撞击坑自动提取方法,其主要包括3个步骤:图像预处理、边缘检测与约束参数的Hough多椭圆分层检测。与人工提取结果比较,月表撞击坑自动提取的总体准确率在76%以上(其中比较大的撞击坑的检测率可以达到83%)。统计检测结果表明,当撞击坑的长半轴D<160 m时,其累积大小频率分布曲线撞击坑个数N与D-3.8有明显的线性关系。

月壤撞击坑对探测器着陆性能影响研究

探测器软着陆后的姿态是上升器月面稳定起飞的前提基础,研究月壤撞击坑给探测器着陆性能带来的影响对上升器月面稳定起飞具有重要意义。通过有限元法(FEM)模拟GRC-1型月壤的非线性力学特性,并与文献[13]中三轴试验结果对比,验证了仿真方法的有效性;在综合考虑月壤非线性、反推火箭残余应力、姿态控制力和重力的基础上,建立了探测器着陆过程动力学模型;以四腿悬架式着陆器为研究对象,研究了月壤撞击坑对探测器着陆后姿态的影响。结果表明:探测器着陆后的姿态角随撞击坑深度的增加而增大;若要保证上升器月面稳定起飞,撞击坑深度不能超过600 mm.

虹湾地区月面撞击坑自动提取

撞击坑作为一种重要的特征,应用于行星探测活动中。在嫦娥工程二期中,月球虹湾地区撞击坑的位置信息,能够为嫦娥3号的降落任务提供必要数据支持,为准确识别位置信息,提出了一种撞击坑自动提取的方法,通过计算模板图像和目标图像的局部可控核函数进而提取特征,根据余弦相似性矩阵确定目标图像中撞击坑的位置。改进方法不需要训练过程,且具有较强的抗噪性。实验采用嫦娥二号获取的虹湾地区的两幅影像进行测试,验证了算法的有效性;并且在对加入噪声的图像进行了处理,算法仍获得了较好的识别效果,准确地提取可分辨的撞击坑,为嫦娥3号的安全降落提供可靠的数据。

基于嫦娥一号卫星数据的柏拉图(Plato)月坑地质研究

通过CCD图像对Plato坑周围区域的线性地貌进行解译和构造方位统计,发现2组明显的线性构造优选方向,一组为NNE—SSW向,一组NWW—SEE向。分析后认为,这是在早期区域应力场作用下形成的,之后受到雨海事件和Plato事件的影响发生再活动,但是区域总体构造格架基本保持不变。使用IIM光谱研究发现,溅射物造成了Plato坑西部和东部在光谱上的差异。坑底玄武岩相对月海玄武岩基性物质含量要低,结合DEM分析认为坑底玄武岩并非从单点溢出。通过对Plato坑壁因垮塌而出露基岩的光谱研究和对本区域平底型月坑宽深比的统计,认为本区域属于高地与月海过渡的地区,在物质成分上受到雨海堆积物的影响而含有较多的低反射率基性物质。最后尝试性地对该地区的地质演化过程进行了推演,得出对本地区地质演化的粗略认识。

低太阳高度角月球影像的陨石坑自动提取方法

陨石坑是月球表面最重要的地形特征,对于研究月球的地质状况和地理状况具有重要的意义。充分考虑低太阳高度角影像中陨石坑特殊的拓扑结构和灰度分布特点,提出一种新的基于光照方向的陨石坑边缘连接方法,综合边缘线判别、边缘线组合、陨石坑判别的陨石坑筛选三步法,形成一套完整的低太阳高度角月球影像陨石坑自动提取流程。用低太阳高度角Lunar Orbit影像进行实验,检测成功率达到了73.9%,表明该方法对于低太阳高度角月球影像陨石坑的自动提取有较好的适用性。

月球雨海北部陆地区域构造及其含义

月球雨海北部陆地是雨海多环盆地的第二层,平均高程约-1 km。DEM图像显示,大量来自虹湾与柏拉图月坑的掘积物使本地区高程变得非常不均一。统计了研究区内的月坑,并根据其深度与宽度之比(深宽比)将它们划分为4组。深宽比较小而扁率较大的月坑被认为是较古老的月坑。这些古老月坑分布于比较接近月海的位置。对研究区内线性构造的制图研究揭示了3个优选方位,分别是E—W、NEE—SWW和NW—SE向。这种分布样式与月球格子构造系统大致匹配,因而它们很可能形成于雨海事件之前。这些线性构造,包括断裂与月溪,在月海玄武岩泛滥时期为玄武质岩浆的侵入提供了大量通道。在研究区内一些地形较低的地点,玄武岩上侵并出露在月表,它们的FeO平均含量接近但是略低于月海玄武岩。总结了本地区的地质构造演化历史,并且推论月球上的确存在类月海的陆地。

月球地形测绘和月球大地测量(5)

主要介绍月球地形测绘和月球大地测量的情况。第一部分论述了月球大地测量(Selenodesy)的定义和方法。月球大地测量的一个特点是它的观测数据绝大部分都要依靠航天探测器或环月、绕月卫星来获取。月球大地测量的内容可以考虑有三个方面:一是在月球上给出一个有确定定义的坐标参考系,并在其中布测一个控制网;二是确定这一月球参考系的大地测量几何和物理常数;三是求定月球的外部重力场。第二部分介绍月球地形测绘。重点介绍了月球地形的特点,它大体分为月海、月陆、环形山等三种类型。

冻土爆破块度的分形维数与爆破特性的关系

对冻土进行了一次起爆、孔内微差爆破漏斗试验,收集爆破块度进行筛分统计,根据分形理论,计算了冻土爆破块度的分形维数。通过分析计算分布函数的特征参数,分析了分形维数与分布函数特征参数的关系。结果表明,分形维数定量表征了冻土爆破块度的分布情况,分形维数可定量表示冻土爆破的最小块度率、爆破漏斗体积和装药深度,分形维数与冻土破碎的最小块度率有很好的相关性,最小块度的百分率愈大,分形维数愈大,反之愈小,较小的分形维数基本上对应于最佳装药深度和最大爆破漏斗体积。

月球坑内空间环境热流的分布研究

文章推导获得了月面阳光矢量和月球坑内探测器表面关系的表达式,采用蒙特卡罗法数值计算探测器各表面的辐射热流,分析了月球坑内环境辐射热流的分布特征。讨论了月面纬度、月球坑尺寸、月面发射率等参数对探测器表面热流的影响。计算表明:月面纬度增加及月球坑坑口半径的减小均会导致某些时刻阳光无法照射到坑底,从而与其他工况有较大的计算差别,两参数对探测器各面热流的影响规律不同;月面发射率对探测器表面热流的影响作用较大,增加月面发射率能明显降低探测器某些表面的辐射热流。