Gravitational investigations on the SELENE mission (Japan) and the existence of a lunar core

Authors: A. Gusev¹; N. Kawano²; N. Petrova¹

Source: Astronomical and Astrophysical Transactions, Volume 22, Numbers 4-5, Numbers 4-5/August-October 2003 , pp. 579-584(6)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $55.77 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

The existence of a lunar core is still an open question. If a core existence is verified by future direct measurements, this core would impose constraints on the model of origin of the Moon. Significant prospects in the decision of this problem are opened up by the Japanese SELENE project. A short review of results concerning the facts about the core existence is given in the article. Most advances in this study were obtained as results of the investigation of lunar gravity and physical libration. The scientific objectives and perspectives of the SELENE project are described.

Keywords: Lunar evolution; Lunar core; SELENE project; Research in selenodesy (RISE) project; Two-layer model; Free core nutation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1055679031000098493

Affiliations: 1: Kazan State University Kazan Russia 2: National Astronomical Observatory Mizusawa Iwate Japan

Publication date: 2003-08-01

More about this publication?