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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • lunar magnetic anomaly
  • lunar swirl
  • space weathering

Index Terms

  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Surface materials and properties
  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Remote sensing
  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Magnetic fields and magnetism
  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Composition

Abstract

A magnetic anomaly associated with an albedo feature near Airy crater in the lunar nearside highlands

D. T. Blewett

NovaSol, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

B. R. Hawke

Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

N. C. Richmond

Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA

C. G. Hughes

Department of Geology and Planetary Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

We describe a strong crustal magnetic anomaly, recently identified in Lunar Prospector magnetometer data, that is associated with a previously unreported albedo feature near the crater Airy in the lunar nearside highlands. Other workers have demonstrated a correlation between magnetic anomalies and the enigmatic bright markings known as lunar swirls. We have used Earth-based telescopic spectra and Clementine multispectral images to investigate the compositional and optical maturity characteristics of the Airy swirl. The Airy albedo feature does not exhibit the complex sinuous structure of well-known swirls such as the Reiner Gamma Formation, but does possess a bright loop and central dark lane. Another strong magnetic anomaly, in the Apollo 16/Descartes region, corresponds to a simple diffuse bright albedo spot. On this basis we suggest that a continuum of swirl morphologies exists on the Moon, with the Airy feature representing an intermediate or incipient swirl form.

Received 16 August 2007; accepted 22 October 2007; published 27 December 2007.

Citation: Blewett, D. T., B. R. Hawke, N. C. Richmond, and C. G. Hughes (2007), A magnetic anomaly associated with an albedo feature near Airy crater in the lunar nearside highlands, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L24206, doi:10.1029/2007GL031670.

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