Project Title: Lunar Transient Events
Project Description:
The Clementine spacecraft obtained over two million images of the
surface of the Earth's Moon. Four remote sensing instruments, covering
the wavelength range between 0.4 and 9.5 um collected imaging
observations of the entire lunar surface - including the far
side. These data will allow planetary scientists to derive the
structure and composition of the Moon. Ultimately, the findings from
the Clementine data will help answer the question of where the Moon
came from and how it evolved.
One fascinating topic of lunar science is the occurrence and nature of
lunar transient events. Over 100 brightenings of the Moon have been
observed by reliable observers during the past several decades
(Cameron 1978; Kolovos et al., 1992). Their cause has been ascribed to
volcanic or other outgassing events, piezoelectric effects, or even
impacts. The Clementine data set represents an excellent one for
systematically inspecting the regions where events have been
reported.
A SURF opportunity exists to work with a Clementine Science Team
member at JPL to analyze these regions of the Moon. The image analyzes
will be accomplished on a Sun Unix-based workstation running the Image
Display Language (IDL) in a windows environment.
Literature References:
Cameron, W.S., 1978, Lunar Transient Phenomena Catalog. NSSDC, 78-03
Kolovos, G., 1992, Icarus 97, 142
Requirements:
The sponsor requires that interested students meet the following
requirements: The requirement for this SURF opportunity is a knowledge
of Unix. A structural geology course would be useful, although it is
not an absolute requirement.
This opportunity is for:
Caltech students only
Research Sponsor
Sponsor: Bonnie J. Buratti
Division: JPL
Mail Code: 183-501
Phone: 354-7427
E-mail: buratti@jplpds.jpl.nasa.gov