© 1999-2004 Astronomical Institute of Kharkov University. Department of Solar, Lunar and Planetary Physics

The Influence of Albedo and Relief on the Law of Brightness Distribution over Lunar Disk (Ph.D. thesis)

Yu. I. Velikodsky

Full text (in Russian)

ABSTRACT. Velikodsky Yu.I. The Influence of Albedo and Relief on the Law of Brightness Distribution over Lunar Disk. -Manuscript.

Thesis for a degree of candidate of physical and mathematical sciences by speciality 01.03.03 - Heliophysics and Physics of Solar System. -Main Astronomical Observatory of NAS of Ukraine, Kiev, 2002.

The dissertation is devoted to the experimental study of the law of light reflection by the Moon. The empirical formula of phase dependence of the lunar surface smoothness factor in an interval of phase angles 0-135° is obtained, that permits to perform the comparative analysis of optical properties of the whole lunar disk. Using a theory describing light scattering by porous surfaces, absence of essential influence of albedo on latitude dependence of the lunar surface brightness is proved. It is shown, that for phase angles, at least, up to 142°, the smoothness factor q is determined only by a relief practically for whole surface of the Moon. On the basis of the space data it is shown, that the smoothness factor of some flat mare areas, as against the rest of lunar surface, depends on albedo. It is related to low degree of a roughness of these areas.

Full text of Ph.D. thesis (in Russian)