Physics and Astronomy of the Moon

1st Edition - January 1, 1961
Imprint: Academic Press
Editor: Zdeněk Kopal
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 7 0 7 8 - 4

Physics and Astronomy of the Moon focuses on the application of principles of physics in the study of the moon, including perturbations, equations, light scattering, and… Read more

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Physics and Astronomy of the Moon focuses on the application of principles of physics in the study of the moon, including perturbations, equations, light scattering, and photometry. The selection first offers information on the motion of the moon in space and libration of the moon. Topics include Hill's equations of motion, non-solar perturbations, improved lunar ephemeris, optical and physical libration of the moon, and adjustment of heliometric observations of the moon's libration. The text then elaborates on the dynamics of the earth-moon system, photometry of the moon, and polarization of moonlight. The publication explains lunar eclipses and the topography of the moon. Discussions focus on the photometric model of eclipses, brightness of the solar elementary ring, effects of light scattering, photometry of lunar eclipses, and determination of altitudes on the moon. The text then evaluates the interpretation of lunar craters, luminescence of the lunar surface, and the origin and history of the moon. The selection is a dependable reference for physicists and astronomers interested in the application of principles of physics in the study of the moon.

Contents

List of Contributors

Preface

Chapter 1 The Motion of the Moon in Space

I. Introductory Remarks

II. The Principal Methods

III. Hill's Equations of Motion

IV. Non-Solar Perturbations

V. Comparison with the Observations

VI. The Improved Lunar Ephemeris

VII. Radar Distances of the Moon

References

Chapter 2 Libration of the Moon

I. Rotation of the Moon and the Laws of Cassini

II. Optical Libration of the Moon

III. Physical Libration of the Moon

IV. Physical Libration in Longitude

V. Physical Libration in Inclination and Node

VI. Influence of Solar Attraction

VII. Determination of the Constants of the Moon's Physical Libration from Observations

VIII. Comparison of Heliometric Observations of the Moon with Theory

IX. Adjustment of Heliometric Observations of the Moon's Libration

X. Remarks Concerning the Figure of the Moon

XI. Values of the Constants of the Moon's Physical Libration and Conclusion

References

Chapter 3 Dynamics of the Earth-Moon System

I. Introduction

II. Kinematical and Dynamical Relationships

III. Tidal Deformation

IV. Rotation of the Earth

V. Secular Variation : The Evidence

VI. The Tidal Couple

VII. Inclination and Eccentricity

References

Chapter 4 Photometry of the Moon

I. Introduction

II. Integral Brightness as a Function of the Phase-Angle

I I I . Absolute Magnitude and Albedo of the Moon

IV. Brightness of Surface Details

V. Laws of Reflection

VI. Colorimetric Characteristics

VII. Conclusions

References

Chapter 5 The Polarization of Moonlight

I. Introduction

II. Polarization of Light from the Whole Disk

III. Polarization by Different Regions of the Disk

IV. Polarization of Light by Mineral Substances

V. Substances with Vitreous Surfaces

VI. Slightly Absorbing Powdered Substances

VII. Substances with Rough or Diffusing Surfaces

VIII. Powdered Opaque Substances

IX. The Interpretation of the Polarization of the Light from the Moon

X. Origin of the Powdery Nature of Lunar Ground

XL Polarization of the Ashen Light of the Moon

X II. The Study of the Polarization of Ashen Light

X III. Origin of the Polarization of the Ashen Light

XIV. Polarization Curve of the Earth

XV. The Nature of the Lunar Ground

XVI. The Investigation of an Atmosphere Surrounding the Moon

References

CHAPTER 6 Lunar Eclipses

I. Introduction

II. The History of Lunar Eclipses

III. The Basic Characteristics of the Eclipses

IV. Future Eclipses

V. Increase of the Earth's Shadow

VI. The Photometric Model of the Eclipses

VII. General Transmission Coefficient

VIII. Computation of the Refraction and of the Air-mass

IX. Brightness of the Solar Elementary Ring

X. Structure of the Auxiliary Shadow

XI. Normal Densities of the Shadow

XII. The Eclipse on the Moon

XIII. Geographic Circumstances of Eclipses

XIV. Effects of Light Scattering

XV. Photometry of Lunar Eclipses

XVI. Comparison between Theory and Observations

XVII. Atmospheric Ozone

XVIII. High Absorbing Layer

XIX. Meteorological Analysis of the Eclipse

XX. Lunar Luminescence

XXI. Possible Manifestations of Lunar Luminescence Outside the Eclipses

XXII. The Variations in Brightness of the Eclipse

XXIII Further Phenomena during Lunar Eclipses

XXIV. Allied Phenomena

XXV. Conclusions

References

CHAPTER 7 Topography of the Moon

I. Lunar Topography : a Survey

II. Lunar Coordinates

III. Determination of Altitudes on the Moon

IV. Formations of the Lunar Surface

References

CHAPTER 8 Interpretation of Lunar Craters

I. Introduction

II. Crater-forming Processes

III. Maars

IV. Impact Craters

V. Ballistics of Copernicus

VI. History of the Copernicus Region

References

IV. The Librations of the Moon

V. Pulse Length Considerations

VI. The Early Experiments

VII. The Later Experiments

VIII. Summary of the Results

IX. Discussion of the Results

X. The Lunar Ionosphere

XI. Conclusion

References

Chapter 13 Origin and History of the Moon

I. Introduction

II. Origin of the Lunar Craters

III. The Imbrium Collision

IV. Time of Formation of the Lunar Surface

V. The Figure of the Moon

VI. The Heat Balance of the Moon

VII. Density and Composition of the Moon

VIII. The Chemical Composition of the Surface Regions

IX. The Origin of the Moon

X. Conclusions

References

Author Index

Subject Index

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

Physics and Astronomy of the Moon

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