Improvement and use of radiative transfer models to assess lunar space weathering and mechanisms for swirl formation

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on quantification of submicroscopic iron of different sizes, mineral abundance and grain size of lunar soils using Hapke's radiative transfer model. The main objective is to explore implications of these results for assessing the relative importance of solar wind implantation versus micrometeorite impacts for lunar space weathering as well as three hypotheses (solar wind deflection, comet impact and dust transport) for swirl formation on the Moon. Results from this study can help to make connections between ordinary chondritic meteorites and asteroids, and put physical and chemical constraints on heating processes in the early solar system.