The revised algorithm for ilmenite mapping using VIS-NIR reflectance spectra

Abstract

The lunar surface TiO₂ map helps us understanding the process of the lunar mare formation. Therefore, the lunar surface TiO₂ map has been made by several scientists using the characteristics of the ilmenite spectrum, which are dark at 300 nm-2600 nm wavelength region and the reflectance at 415 nm and 750 nm are comparable. Ilmenite is the dominant carrier of the Ti at the lunar surface. To make the lunar surface TiO₂ map, therefore, we can use the ilmenite spectrum instead. In this work, we have not found the ilmenite absorption band around 500 nm at visible wavelength band. And the lunar surface TiO₂ abundance can be estimated accurately by using the smaller size reflectance. Counting these results, we might be able to establish the new methods to estimate TiO₂ abundance on the lunar surface.