Mare Deposits Identification and Feature Analysis in Mare Australe Based on CE‐2 CELMS Data

Abstract

Abstract The microwave signal has the penetration capability, which provides a potential chance to improve understanding of the mare deposits and the formation process of Mare Australe, a complex, extensive, and poorly understood region on the Moon. In this paper, the Chang'E‐2 microwave radiometer (CELMS) data were selected and processed to evaluate the microwave thermal emission features of the mare deposits in Mare Australe. After comparison, the d T B map at 3.0 GHz is employed. The results are as follows. (a) The possible cryptomare is much more extensive in Australe region than that identified with optical data. (b) The basaltic volcanism is re‐understood as three major episodes. (c) The high d T B anomaly is interpreted as the location of the vent areas in the mare patches. (d) The K‐means algorithm was first used to process the CELMS data, and the identified linear and ring structures indicate some important information about the formation processes of Mare Australe. These special findings will be of fundamental significance to better understand the basaltic volcanism and the evolution of the lunar surface.