Strategic plan for integrated science of SELENE mission (Science of the Moon)

Abstract

Japanese lunar mission, SELENE, is to be launched in summer, 2007. Developments of scientific instruments are close to completion. Now we move to focus on analyses of observational data and scientific outcomes of SELENE. In order to make as much contribution to lunar science as possible from new observations, we propose a strategic plan for integrated science of SELENE. Our basic idea is to analyze observational data in four stages. First stage is to draw 2D geologic maps of both lunar maria and high land. Second stage is to reveal subsurface structure of maria, and highland if possible. Third stage is to investigate special topics such as crustal dichotomy and differentiation of basaltic magma on the basis of 2D and 3D maps. And in the last stage, we aim to study the origin and evolution of the moon. After several meetings held for the integrated science, we set four fundamental issues to be answered by SELENE observations; (1) tectonic history of maria, (2) crustal formation from magma ocean, (3) exploration of polar region, and (4) structure of multi ring basin. We have organized four sub-WG, and these groups are making research plan for respective issues at present.