Photo Credit: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chandrayaan-2 Lunar Orbiter
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released a significant new set of data collected by its Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter since 2019, providing unprecedented insights into the Moon’s polar regions. These polar areas, spanning latitudes 80 to 90 degrees in both hemispheres, have long been of scientific interest due to their potential to harbor water ice and to preserve clues about the early conditions of the solar system.
Advanced Radar Technology: Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR)
One of the key instruments onboard the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, the Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR), operates in full-polarimetric L-band mode with a high spatial resolution of 25 meters per pixel. This radar sends and receives signals in vertical and horizontal directions, enabling detailed examination of both surface and subsurface features of the lunar terrain.
Data Collection and Analysis
Over nearly five years, ISRO has collected approximately 1,400 radar datasets which have been meticulously processed to create polarimetric mosaics of the lunar north and south poles. Scientists at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad have utilized these data to develop advanced products that describe potential water-ice deposits, surface roughness, and the dielectric constant of the lunar regolith. The dielectric constant offers critical information on soil density and porosity, essential for understanding lunar geology.
Scientific Impact and Future Exploration
These high-resolution radar measurements enhance global efforts in lunar exploration by providing first-order insights into thermal stability zones where water ice may persist. Such knowledge is key for future crewed and robotic missions for resource utilization and landing site selection. Furthermore, the preservation of early solar system chemical signatures in the lunar polar regions opens new avenues for research into planetary formation and evolution.
ISRO has made these Level 3C polar mosaic datasets freely accessible on its data portal, promoting global scientific collaboration and discovery.
