Initial observations from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA)

David E. Smith(Goddard Space Flight Center), M. T. Zuber(Massachusetts Institute of Technology), G. A. Neumann(Goddard Space Flight Center), F. G. Lemoine(Goddard Space Flight Center), E. Mazarico(Goddard Space Flight Center), M. H. Torrence(Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (United States)), Jan F. McGarry(Goddard Space Flight Center), D. D. Rowlands(Goddard Space Flight Center), J. W. Head(Brown University), T. Duxbury(George Mason University), O. Aharonson(California Institute of Technology), P. G. Lucey(University of Hawaii System), M. S. Robinson(Arizona State University), O. S. Barnouin(Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory), John F. Cavanaugh(Goddard Space Flight Center), Xiaoli Sun(Goddard Space Flight Center), Peter Liiva(Sigma Space (United States)), Dan‐dan Mao(Sigma Space (United States)), James C. Smith(Goddard Space Flight Center), Arlin E. Bartels(Goddard Space Flight Center)
Geophysical Research Letters
September 1, 2010
10.1029/2010gl043751
Cited by 506Open Access
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Abstract

As of June 19, 2010, the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter, an instrument on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, has collected over 2.0 × 10 9 measurements of elevation that collectively represent the highest resolution global model of lunar topography yet produced. These altimetric observations have been used to improve the lunar geodetic grid to ∼10 m radial and ∼100 m spatial accuracy with respect to the Moon's center of mass. LOLA has also provided the highest resolution global maps yet produced of slopes, roughness and the 1064‐nm reflectance of the lunar surface. Regional topography of the lunar polar regions allows precise characterization of present and past illumination conditions. LOLA's initial global data sets as well as the first high‐resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) of polar topography are described herein.

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