Chronological Study Of Mare Moscoviense Basin On Moon Using Lroc Wac Data

Research Article
Chinnamuthu M., Gowthaman A.T and Anbazhagan S
DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2018.0904.2060
Subject: 
science
KeyWords: 
Surface Age Determination, LROC, Moscoviense Basin
Abstract: 

The Lunar geological time scale divides the history of Moon into five recognized periods: the Copernican, Eratosthenian, Imbrian, Nectarian and Pre-Nectarian. The boundaries of the periods were related to the large impact events that modified the lunar surface. The absolute ages of these periods have been constrained by radiometric dating of samples obtained from the lunar surface. Surface Age determination is necessary for understanding and to reconstruct the Geological Time scale of any planetary body. Radiometric dating, fossils, lithological correlation can be used to determine age of terrestrial rocks. Whereas in the case of planetary bodies, accessibility is limited to extract information from the rock samples, The Crater counting is a technique used to identify the surface ages using remote sensing data. The lunar cratering chronology uses crater size-frequency distributions (CSFDs) to derive absolute model ages for geological units across the Moon, and is adapted for use on the surfaces of various other Solar System bodies. LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera) is a system of three cameras mounted on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) that capture high resolution photos of the lunar surface. Two NACs (Narrow Angle Cameras) capture high resolution black and white images. The third WAC (Wide Angle Camera) captures moderate resolution images using filters to provide information about the properties and color of the lunar surface. Here, CSFD is used to identify the age of Mare Moscoviense using LROC WAC image and correlated with the Lunar Geological Time Scale. Mare Moscoviense fills a part of the 445 km diameter Moscoviense basin (27N, 146E), which is in the northern hemisphere of the lunar far side.