Synergetic Use of Morphological and Radar Parameter for Lunar Water Ice Detection

Abstract

Radar measured elevated circular polarization ratio (CPR) from lunar polar region are not unique signature of lunar water ice deposits, It may also be caused by wavelength scale roughness e.g. fragments from fresh ejecta which forms corner reflectors. Thus, there is a need to assess the role of other remotely sensed parameters along with elevated CPR for water ice detection. The study derives the morphological parameters like crater diameter (D), crater depth (d), crater floor diameter, d/D ratio along with annual temperature, surface roughness and backscattering coefficient (S1). Association of these parameters for fresh craters and craters with water ice was studied. The results indicate that morphological parameters such as surface slope, surface roughness and d/D ratio influences crater which exhibits high CPR only in their interiors (anomalous). Furthermore, analyzing d/D ratio and surface roughness with CPR shows unambiguous separation between them. These observations emphasizes role of morphometry in detecting craters havinz water ice.