A magnetic anomaly associated with an albedo feature near Airy crater in the lunar nearside highlands

作者：Blewett D T^*; Hawke B R; Richmond N C; Hughes C G

来源：Geophysical Research Letters, 2007, 34(24): L24206.

DOI：10.1029/2007GL031670

We describe a strong crustal magnetic anomaly, recently identified in Lunar Prospector magnetometer data, that is associated with a previously unreported albedo feature near the crater Airy in the lunar nearside highlands. Other workers have demonstrated a correlation between magnetic anomalies and the enigmatic bright markings known as lunar swirls. We have used Earth-based telescopic spectra and Clementine multispectral images to investigate the compositional and optical maturity characteristics of the Airy swirl. The Airy albedo feature does not exhibit the complex sinuous structure of well-known swirls such as the Reiner Gamma Formation, but does possess a bright loop and central dark lane. Another strong magnetic anomaly, in the Apollo 16/Descartes region, corresponds to a simple diffuse bright albedo spot. On this basis we suggest that a continuum of swirl morphologies exists on the Moon, with the Airy feature representing an intermediate or incipient swirl form.

• 出版日期2007-12-27