Small craters on the Moon: Focus on Tycho’s crater rays

• Published in: Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping pp. 191 - 207
• Main Author: Bugiolacchi, R.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: CRC Press 2019
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Smallest Binning Size; Bin Size; Crater Density; Equilibrium Diameter; Ejecta Blanket; LRO; Space Weathering; High Resolution DEM; High Resolution Topographic Data; Single Scattering Albedo; Equilibrium Portion; Mature Mare; SFD; Lunar Surface; Stereo Photogrammetry; Small Craters; Lunar Maria; RFM; Mare Surfaces; Low Illumination Angle; HRSC; Epipolar Image; Crater Size; Lunar Craters
• ISBN: 9781138584150; 1138584150
• DOI: 10.1201/9780429505997-13

The size-frequency distribution (SFD) of small lunar craters ≤ 30 metres in diameter is not random but follows predictable trends described by power law functions. Three prominent ejecta rays belonging to the Tycho impact crater show analogous cumulative SFDs within a radius of 1500 km. Likewise, neighbouring and distal mature mare regions display communalities in craters distribution as described by similar power law equations and representing the crater saturation equilibrium for lunar maria. A comparison of the relative bin-size representation within the range of 9–100 metres also suggests correlations, but this time linked to locality and the physical properties of the target. Derived Absolute Model Ages (AMAs) for all units are around 30 ± 10 Ma, with secondaries contributing up to 20 Ma to the AMA of a mature mare target, thus restricting the usefulness of this dating technique when using small craters to surfaces not older than around 20 Ma.