| This project evaluates the usefulness of Mini-RF radar backscatter as a potential tool to determine TiO2 concentrations and distinguish geologic unit contacts in the Moon's South Pole-Aitken basin. Previous Earth-based studies have shown a correlation between radar backscatter and TiO2 concentrations; however, this study demonstrates the inability of Mini-RF, in its current state, to detect these concentrations. Additionally, Mini-RF is shown a lack of ability in determining geologic contacts that do not have a large variation in backscatter. The lacks of correlation may be caused by the roughness of the study regions, lower TiO2 concentrations found in the basin, the large amount of noise present in the Mini-RF data, and/or map offsets among the Mini-RF, TiO2, and lunar geologic map. With the reduction of noise in the Mini-RF data and the implementation of an updated geologic map, a future correlation may be found. |
