Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
Christian N. Alf
Mentor: Mark S. Robinson
School of Earth and Space Exploration
Arizona State University
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
• Mission Overview– Launches in late 2008– First mission in NASA’s plan to
return to the moon– Seven Instruments
• LROC: Global imaging• LOLA: Global topography• LEND: Neutron flux (water ice)• DLRE: Temp. of lunar surface• LAMP: Search for surface ices in
polar regions• CRaTER: Lunar radiation
environment• Mini-RF: SAR (image
permanently shadowed areas)
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
• Primary Goals– Study meter-scale features– Landing site selection– Image lunar poles
• Areas of permanent shadow
• Other Goals– Stereo imaging for topography– Multispectral imaging for mineralogy and surface
composition– Assess current impact hazards
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
• Cameras– 2 Narrow Angle Cameras (NAC)
• 0.5 meter per pixel resolution• Stereo Images• Look for future landing sites
– Wide Angle Camera (WAC)• 100 meter per pixel resolution• Multispectral Images
Apollo Metric Image Scans
• Images from Apollo 15,16, and 17– Full resolution scans– Available to public– http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/
Apollo Metric Image Scans
Apollo Metric Image Scans
• Crater Counting– Compare with LROC data
• Impact rates over last 40 years• Average crater size• Impact locations• Crater erosion
Apollo Metric Image Scans
Lunar Geologic History Map
• Create a digital version of the Wilhelms’ Geologic History of the Moon– Aide scientists in finding Regions of
Interest (ROIs)– Proof of concept
• Process demonstration
Lunar Geologic History Map
Thank You