Galileo multispectral Imaging of the North Polar and Eastern Limb Regions of the Moon

Abstract

Multispectral images obtained during Galileo's second encounter with the Moon extend our knowledge of its compositional nature to the north polar regions and along the northeastern limb. Mare deposits in these regions are found to be primarily low-to-medium titanium lavas and, as on the western limb, show only slight spectral heterogeneity. The northern limb plains are found to have the spectral characteristics of highland materials, show little evidence for the presence of cryptomaria, and were most likely emplaced by impact processes regardless of their age.