The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M 3 ) on Chandrayaan-1

Abstract

3 is an imaging spectrometer that operates from the visible into the near-infrared (0.42-3.0 μm) where highly diagnostic mineral absorption bands occur. Over the course of the mission M 3 will provide low resolution spectro- scopic data for the entire lunar surface at 140 m/pixel (86 spectral channels) to be used as a base-map and high spectral resolution science data (80 m/pixel; 260 spectral channels) for 25-50% of the surface. The de- tailed mineral assessment of different lunar terrains provided by M 3 is principal information needed for understanding the geologic evolution of the lunar crust and lays the foundation for focused future in-depth exploration of the Moon.