High‐Precision Imaging and TiO<sub>2</sub> + FeO Content Estimation of Lunar Farside Subsurface Layers: Insights From Chang'e‐4 Lunar Penetrating Radar Data

Abstract The Chang'e‐4 Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR) has proven instrumental in uncovering the structure and composition of the Von Kármán crater on the lunar farside. Utilizing high‐frequency (HF) LPR data collected during the first 53 lunar days, this study employs Least Squares Migration to achieve high‐resolution imaging of shallow subsurface structures. Additionally, the peak frequency shift method is applied to estimate the loss tangent and the TiO 2 + FeO content of the shallow regolith. The average loss tangent of the shallow regolith ranges from 4.3 × 10 −3 to 5.5 × 10 −3 , corresponding to an iron‐titanium content of 11.2 wt% to 14.7 wt%. Along the Yutu‐2 rover's traverse (300–500 m and 1,000–1,150 m), the regolith exhibits high TiO 2 + FeO content, suggesting that these materials may originate from deeper basalt layers. By integrating radar profiles with estimates of TiO 2 + FeO content, this study provides a detailed geological interpretation of subsurface layers and unique structures. These findings reconstruct critical geological events in the shallow subsurface at the landing site, offering new insights into the geological evolution of this region.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research Planets
Published
2025-08-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024je008884
Primary Topic
Planetary Science and Exploration
Type
article
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article

High‐Precision Imaging and TiO2 + FeO Content Estimation of Lunar Farside Subsurface Layers: Insights From Chang'e‐4 Lunar Penetrating Radar Data

Huaqing Cao, Lige Bai, Jing Li, Chang Zhang
Journal of Geophysical Research Planets
Planetary Science and Exploration
article

High‐Precision Imaging and TiO2 + FeO Content Estimation of Lunar Farside Subsurface Layers: Insights From Chang'e‐4 Lunar Penetrating Radar Data

Huaqing Cao, Lige Bai, Jing Li, Chang Zhang
article en

Abstract

Abstract The Chang'e‐4 Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR) has proven instrumental in uncovering the structure and composition of the Von Kármán crater on the lunar farside. Utilizing high‐frequency (HF) LPR data collected during the first 53 lunar days, this study employs Least Squares Migration to achieve high‐resolution imaging of shallow subsurface structures. Additionally, the peak frequency shift method is applied to estimate the loss tangent and the TiO 2 + FeO content of the shallow regolith. The average loss tangent of the shallow regolith ranges from 4.3 × 10 −3 to 5.5 × 10 −3 , corresponding to an iron‐titanium content of 11.2 wt% to 14.7 wt%. Along the Yutu‐2 rover's traverse (300–500 m and 1,000–1,150 m), the regolith exhibits high TiO 2 + FeO content, suggesting that these materials may originate from deeper basalt layers. By integrating radar profiles with estimates of TiO 2 + FeO content, this study provides a detailed geological interpretation of subsurface layers and unique structures. These findings reconstruct critical geological events in the shallow subsurface at the landing site, offering new insights into the geological evolution of this region.

Journal of Geophysical Research PlanetsVol. 130(9)
Jilin Province Science and Technology Department (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
Planetary Science and Exploration
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