In the orbital plane of Apollo 15 the mean lunar radius is 1737.3 km, the mean altitude of terrae above maria is about 3 km, and the center-of-figure is displaced from the center-of-mass by about 2 km away from longitude 25 E. The Apollo 16 laser altimeter obtained a total of about 7.5 revolutions of partially overlapping data. The principal difference in results from Apollo 16 is the absence of any great far-side basin similar to the 1400-km wide feature found by Apollo 15, 1200 km to the south. This absence of a far-side depression in the Apollo 16 orbital plane largely accounts for a greater mean radius: 1738.1 km; a greater mean altitude of terrae above maria: about 4 km; and a greater offset of centers: about 3 km, also away from 25 E. In the Apollo 16, as well as Apollo 15, data the far-side terrae are much 'rougher' than the near-side terrae. Mare surfaces are generally smooth to within plus or minus 150 m, and have slopes of 1:500 to 1:2000 persisting over distances as great as 500 km.


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    Title :

    Lunar topography from Apollo 15 and 16 laser altimetry


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Lunar Science Conference ; 1973 ; Houston, TX


    Publication date :

    1973-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :


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