J. Terazono

The global distribution of pure anorthosite on the Moon

It has been thought that the lunar highland crust was formed by the crystallization and floatation of plagioclase from a global magma ocean, although the actual generation mechanisms are still debated. The composition of the lunar highland crust is therefore important for understanding the formation of such a magma ocean and the subsequent evolution of the Moon. The Multiband Imager on the Selenological and Engineering Explorer (SELENE) has a high spatial resolution of optimized spectral coverage, which should allow a clear view of the composition of the lunar crust. Here we report the global distribution of rocks of high plagioclase abundance (approaching 100 vol.%), using an unambiguous plagioclase absorption band recorded by the SELENE Multiband Imager. If the upper crust indeed consists of nearly 100 vol.% plagioclase, this is significantly higher than previous estimates of 82–92 vol.% (refs 2, 6, 7), providing a valuable constraint on models of lunar magma ocean evolution.

Detailed images of asteroid 25143 Itokawa from Hayabusa.

Rendezvous of the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa with the near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa took place during the interval September through November 2005. The onboard camera imaged the solid surface of this tiny asteroid (535 meters by 294 meters by 209 meters) with a spatial resolution of 70 centimeters per pixel, revealing diverse surface morphologies. Unlike previously explored asteroids, the surface of Itokawa reveals both rough and smooth terrains. Craters generally show unclear morphologies. Numerous boulders on Itokawas surface suggest a rubble-pile structure.

Long-Lived Volcanism on the Lunar Farside Revealed by SELENE Terrain Camera

We determined model ages of mare deposits on the farside of the Moon on the basis of the crater frequency distributions in 10-meter-resolution images obtained by the Terrain Camera on SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) (Kaguya). Most mare volcanism that formed mare deposits on the lunar farside ceased at ∼3.0 billion years ago, suggesting that mare volcanism on the Moon was markedly reduced globally during this period. However, several mare deposits at various locations on the lunar farside also show a much younger age, clustering at ∼2.5 billion years ago. These young ages indicate that mare volcanism on the lunar farside lasted longer than was previously considered and may have occurred episodically.

Scientific exploration of lunar surface using a rover in Japanese future lunar mission

Abstract A new lunar mission (SELENE-B) including a lander is now in consideration in Japan. The mission will follow up SELENE (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer, a global remote sensing mission of the moon in 2004). Scientific investigation plans using a rover are proposed: exploration of a crater central peak to discover subsurface materials and exploration of the polar region to discover the trapped ice. We have already developed a 5-wheel engineering-model rover, Micro5, which has a long manipulator with a camera on top. The rover can climb over 15cm steps and rocks by a new suspension system PEGASUS.

Service oriented architecture realized by a messaging network

This paper introduces an approach to realize service-oriented architecture (SOA) governance using a messaging network. The proposed solution uses a messaging network with a structured overlay. The messaging network is XML-based, and is an actual implementation of a content-based network. The proposed scheme provides a network-centric approach to ensure SOA governance by use of a common proactive scheme on the network infrastructure.

Implementation of geographic search methods for lunar objects

The search system to find surface features on the moon and other planets are essential for assisting research activities by scientists. Many research studies are developing improved system to search the lunar nomenclature. In this report, we present the recent progress on search system using three different approaches based on two major scheme of database search policy, QBE (Query-By-Example) and QBO (Query-By-Object). The different approaches for the implementations use the same data.

Exploring structural and dimensional similarities within: lunar nomenclature system using query interfaces

Scientists and researchers often search for lunar features from lunar names within geographic data from Moon. Currently, there are few facilities available for above search. Therefore, we propose starting construction of lunar nomenclature search system based on high-level query language interfaces, such as query by example (QBE) and Query-By-Object approach. Using this method, we can designate specific points of the moon using nearby name by lunar feature names. Currently, we are focusing on the region including Copernicus crater.

Mission to Europa's sub-surface ocean and search for possible biological traces

Recent close encounters to Europa, a giant Jovian satellite, by the Galileo spacecraft reenforced the hypothesis that there might exist a liquid ocean of H2O in Europa. It can be assumed that Europa, like the Earth, has biological systems under its sub surface ocean, and that marine organisms consume chemical nutrients released by geological activities even though there is no sunlight. The purpose of this paper is to introduce conceptual and feasibility studies of a spacecraft mission to explore Europas hypothetical sub-surface ocean. In this paper, we present possible searches for the possible biological evidence through the observation of traces. We analyze the scientific rationale, the methodology and the instrumentation of our investigation held in this mission. The designs of spacecraft and mission profile is also reviewed.

Exploring Kaguya Moon Mission Sensor Data by Locating Geographic Entities

The Kaguya Lunar probe generated 88 data products using various instruments, during its long mission. These products are based on location and time. These include, Carbon dioxide readings, altitude, images, temperature, and so on. The raw data has been published and is available for download in the raw form. A location name based search facility has been proposed and implemented for exploration and visualization of scientific data for the data products.

WISE-CAPS: Overcoming Information Gathering Challenges in Lunar Surface Exploration

Time-domain Space Exploration, particularly Lunar and planetary exploration are facing exponentially increasing size the data and the information. To manage huge data and to help for producing scientific results, we focus attention on the possibility of introducing GIS and creating WISE-CAPS. WISE-CAPS is a collaborative research environment specially designed for lunar and planetary exploration domain.