LUNAR TOPOGRAPHY FROM EARTH-BASED RADAR INTERFEROMETRIC MAPPING
Jean-Luc C. Margot, Ph.D.
Cornell University 1999

This dissertation is organized as a collection of four scientific papers authored by J.L. Margot, D.B. Campbell, R.F. Jurgens, and M.A. Slade:

Digital elevation of the Moon from Earth-based radar interferometry, submitted to IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing,
The topography of Tycho Crater, to appear in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets,
The topography of the lunar polar regions, to be prepared for submission to Icarus, International Journal of Solar System Studies.
Locations of cold traps for frozen volatiles at the lunar poles from radar topographic mapping, submitted to Science,

The theoretical background, experimental techniques, observing parameters, and data processing steps are described in the first paper. As such, it can be regarded as the ``Methods'' component of this thesis. Its introductory chapter reviews previous measurements of lunar topography and provides the justification for this study.

The second paper presents elevation data for a large, fresh lunar crater located at mid-latitudes. A careful comparison of the results with existing data sets for the same region validates the technique and illustrates the superiority of radar interferometry for topographic mapping.

Detailed topographic maps of the polar regions of the Moon are presented in the third chapter, which also contains examples of radar imagery of the lunar poles. The implications of the new topographic data on the parameters that define the fundamental shape of the Moon are discussed.

In the last paper, the possible presence of water ice at the lunar poles is examined in light of the new topographic knowledge acquired by Earth-based radar. Solar illumination conditions at the lunar poles are simulated in order to survey the location of cold traps, which constitute potential reservoirs of water ice.