Other Planet Science Concept Information Sheet
Break-out: Other
Form completed by: Karl Hibbitts
Concept title (ID): Water Cycle on the Moon (5)
Description of the potential science / science goals:
Nature and evolution of OH and H2O on the moon including high latitude frost evolution and ice
migration.
Relevance of the science (Why is this important?) What are the specific Decadal ties?
Recent missions have established the presence of hydrogen, hydroxyl and water in various regions of the
Moon, suggesting a water cycle. Further observations would help to elucidate the nature and transport
of water derived species in the lunar environment with important ramifications for understanding
volatile evolution on airless bodies and development of potential resources for future exploitation.
Decadal survey goal for terrestrial planets and the moon: Constrain the Bulk Composition of the
Terrestrial Planets to Understand their Formation From the Solar Nebula and Controls on their
Subsequent Evolution
Related question: " What are the volatile budgets in the interiors, surfaces and atmospheres of the inner
planets?
" What are the compositions, distributions, and sources of planetary polar deposits?
What measurements are required to achieve the science?
Two weeks duration observation of the moon once every 24 hours, 2.6 to 3.8 micron @ 10nm
Or imaging with 15filters from 2.6 to 3.8 microns, each filter about 10-20nm wide.
Water and OH need 2.6 – 3.2 microns, temperature obtained with longer wavelengths
Following mission: observe during passage through earth magnetotail when solar wind bombardment is
shut off.
What are the driving requirements to achieve the measurements? (E.g. time on target, frequency of
observations, aperture, focal length, wavelengths, pointing precision and stability, specific observing location(s),
critical observation time(s), are repeat flights required? or whatever else that may drive the hardware or mission
design/architecture).
Telescope aperture: .5m
Telescope focal length: tbd
Wavelengths: 3 micron range
Pointing precision: 1”
Required time on target: several hours per day, every day two weeks.
Are there other ways to achieve this science, and if so, why would a balloon platform be preferable?
Continuous observation allows characterization of volatile deposits and elucidation of transport paths.
What are the potential observation targets?
Moon
What planetary science disciplines would this involve?
Origins, Magneto-ionosphere physics, PGG, hydrology
Point of contact for follow-on questions (Name and contact info)
Karl Hibbitts, APL