Abstract
New detailed gravity measurements were obtained over a 10- to 70-km surface strip from − 70° to + 70° long. during low-altitude orbits (≈ 12 km at periapsis). The trajectory path (Figure 1) went over the centers of both Maria Serenitatis and Crisium, providing a complete center gravity profile of two large mascons. Consistent with the previous results for Mare Nectaris and Mare Humorum, both Serenitatis and Crisium mascons are approximately disk-shaped near-surface mass anomalies of net uncompensated loading, 800 kg cm−2. This strengthens Booker's contention that all mascons are approximately the same thickness. Also revealed for the first time are significant positive gravity measurements over mountain ranges - Apennines (near Hadley Mountain) and the Marius Hills. The data suggests that the Apennines have undergone some isostatic compensation, whereas the Marius Hills have not. The crater anomalies detected are all consistently negative as observed before, implying loss of mass from the impact event which formed them.
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This paper presents the results of one phase of research carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under Contract NAS7-100, sponsored by NASA.
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Muller, P.M., Sjogren, W.L. & Wollenhaupt, W.R. Lunar gravity: apollo 15 doppler radio tracking. The Moon 10, 195–205 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00655720
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00655720