The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter, which has been orbiting the Moon since 2019, has provided groundbreaking insights into the lunar polar regions. Scientists at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad have used data from the mission’s Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR) to generate the first-ever full-polarimetric, L-band radar maps of the Moon, offering a high spatial resolution of 25 meters per pixel. This achievement represents a major leap in lunar research. The DFSAR instrument, capable of transmitting and receiving radar signals in both vertical and horizontal modes. This enables scientists to study the Moon’s surface and subsurface with exceptional precision. SAC team developed advanced algorithms and data models that deliver key information The SAC team developed advanced algorithms and data models that deliver key information on potential water-ice deposits, variations in surface roughness, and dielectric properties, indicators of the lunar soil’s density and porosity. Key parameters are derived from DFSAR data Together, these parameters help characterise the Moon’s surface composition and uncover hidden geological features. Among the key parameters derived from DFSAR data is the Circular Polarisation Ratio (CPR), which is particularly sensitive to reflections from subsurface ice deposits. Additionally, the Single Bounce Eigenvalue Relative Difference (SERD) provides insights into surface roughness, while the T-Ratio relates to the dielectric constant, revealing how lunar regolith interacts with electromagnetic waves. Components which assist in identifying district radar scattering patterns in different terrains Further, polarimetric decomposition components — Odd, Even, Volume, and Helix — help identify distinct radar scattering patterns across various terrains. The newly released Level-3C Polar Mosaic datasets have now been made freely available to the global scientific community. These findings are especially valuable for future lunar missions, as they highlight thermally stable zones where water-ice could exist, crucial for both scientific exploration and resource utilisation. They also aid in selecting suitable landing sites for upcoming missions. Results expected to enhance understanding of polar regions Beyond practical applications, the results enhance understanding of the Moon’s largely untouched polar regions, which may preserve some of the earliest chemical clues to the solar system’s origin. The integration of radar data with hyperspectral observations from Chandrayaan-2 is expected to further refine global models of lunar mineral composition and distribution, strengthening India’s contribution to international lunar science.
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