| Near-IR Spectrometer (SIR-2) |
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| Scientific Objective: |
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| SIR-2 will address the surface-related aspects of lunar science in six broad categories: |
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| 1. Analyze in unprecedented detail the lunar surface in various geological/mineralogical and topographical units; |
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| 2. Study the vertical distribution of crustal material; |
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| 3. Investigate the process of basin, maria and crater formation on the Moon; |
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| 4. Explore “Space Weathering” processes of the lunar surface; |
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| 5. Survey mineral lunar resources for future landing sites and exploration. |
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| The determination of the chemical composition of a planet’s crust and mantle is one of the important goals of planetary research. Diagnostic
absorption bands of various minerals and ices, which are expected to be found on the surfaces of planetary bodies, are located in the near-IR range, thus making near-infrared measurements of rocks particularly suitable for identifying minerals. |
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| Payload Details: |
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| SIR-2 collects the Sun’s light reflected
by the Moon with the help of a main and secondary
mirror.This light is led through an optical fiber
to the instrument's sensor head where it hits a
grating. The light dispersed by the grating ultimately
reaches a detector which consists of a row of photosensitive
pixels which measure the intensity of the dispersed
light at the different wavelengths and produces
an electronic signal which is read out and processed
by the experiment's electronics. |
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| The wavelength range covered by the spectrometer is 0.93-2.4 μm with spectral resolution 6nm. |
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| SIR-2 is developed by the Max-Plank-Institute for Solar System Science, through the Max-Plank Society, Germany and ESA. |
