A Detailed Spectral Reflectivity

An observational study was performed to determine relative spectral reflectivity differences (0.41.1 microns) in the Copernicus region of the moon, as well as several other bright crater areas. A photoelectric filter photometer was used. Results suggest that: (1) spectral features do exist. (2) The spectral feature amplitude in the normalized relative spectral reflectivity curves for areas studied tends to decrease as distance of the areas from Copernicus increases. The general shape of the curve remains the same. This implies that the amount of Copernican material decreases as the distance of a spot from Copernicus increases. (3) The curves for areas on some Copernican rays have the same general shape as do the curves of areas in Copernicus. The amplitude of the spectral features for the ray area curves tends to be smaller than for areas in the crater, implying that the rays contain mare material as well as Copernican material. (4) There is no significant dependence of relative color at Copernicus on lunar phase angle. (5) The angular distribution of Copernican ejecta appears to be uniform. (6) Copernican ejecta has a relatively high albedo. Thesis Supervisor: Thomas B. McCord, Ph.D. Title: Assistant Professor of Planetary Physics