An Estimate on the Lunar Figure |
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| Authors: | Gao Bu-Xi |
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| Institution: | Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430077 |
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| Abstract: | In 1799 Laplace discovered that the three principal moments of the Moon are not in equilibrium with the Moon's current orbital and rotational state. Some authors suggested that the Moon may carry a fossil figure. More than 3 billion years ago, the liquid Moon was closer to the Earth and revolved faster. Then the Moon migrated outwards and its rotation slowed down. During the early stage of this migration, the Moon was continually subjected to tidal and rotational stretching and formed into an ellipsoid. Subsequently the Moon cooled down and solidified quickly. Eventually, the solid Moon's lithosphere was stable and as a result we may see the very early lunar figure. |
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| Keywords: | moon: libration moon: gravity field |
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