Imaging spectroscopy of the moon: A study of the Aristarchus region

In this paper we present some results concerning the Aristarchus plateau and Mounts Harbinger regions. The study was conducted using an imaging spectrometer in the 0.4-1.1 mu m spectral range at the 1.5 meters Sierra Nevada Observatory telescope. We report the albedo, the UV-VIS continuum and 0.9-1 mu m absorption band maps, showing the complex pattern of Aristarchus crater ejecta and the distribution of surrounding materials. The extension of the dark mantling deposits present on Aristarchus plateau is well shown from our data, appearing very red and with a uniform distribution of the 0.9-1 mu m band. (C) 1997 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.