Abstract
The lunar surface consists of a regolith layer, i.e., fragmental and
unconsolidated rock material of highly varied character, which covers
the underlying bedrock. Understanding the structure and composition of
the lunar regolith and the underlying bedrock is very important to
reveal geologic features of the Moon, explore natural resources humans
can exploit, and obtain valuable information regarding the history of
the solar system. Electromagnetic radiations from the surface of the
Moon at microwave frequencies depends on the physical, chemical, and
electrical properties of the regolith layer and the bedrock. Moreover,
the electromagnetic penetration depth changes with frequency which
allows wideband microwave radiometers operating below 50 GHz to
conveniently profile these properties versus depth to characterize the
lunar regolith and bedrock with wide spatial coverage. Combining current
models of depth-dependent physical and chemical properties with simple
electromagnetic forward radiation models, surface emissions over the
Apollo sites were simulated and compared with Chinese Chang’E-1 and
Chang’E-2 multi-frequency microwave radiometer measurements. Potential
sources of the differences between the simulations and measurements have
been identified as the temperature dependence of the electrical
properties of the regolith, bedrock type, surface and bedrock roughness,
as well as density fluctuations, scattering due to inhomogeneities, and
coherent interference of electromagnetic fields within the regolith.
However, many of these subjects have been studied thoroughly for the
remote sensing of the cryosphere; thus leveraging this experience with
the rapid developments in radiometer designs, wideband microwave
radiometers promise valuable scientific returns in future lunar
missions.