Lunar tidal Deformation from Earth-based and orbital Laser Ranging

• Applicants: Dr. Hauke Hußmann; Professor Dr. Jürgen Oberst
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy ; Geodesy, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Cartography
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431336085

This project aims at an improved and consistent determination of the tidal deformation of the Moon. This will be accomplished by a synthesis of the large amount of observation and modeling data obtained from Earth-based Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) and laser altimetry (LA) from lunar orbit. The project will also contribute to methods for tidal measurements on other Solar System bodies where LLR data is not available but future missions, e.g. BepiColombo, will provide LA data. Improvement in the analysis procedure of LA and LLR will be considered together with the introduction of time-variable Love numbers, which are quantifying the tidal deformation. Furthermore, the model of lunar global deformation will be extended through the implementation of the crustal thickness asymmetry between the lunar near and far side. The work will be carried out in collaboration between the DLR Institute of Planetary Research, the Technical University Berlin, the Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur (Nice) and the Institute de Méchanique Céleste et de Calcul des Éphémérides (IMCCE) in Paris.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Alexander Stark
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Dr. Agnès Fienga; Dr. Anthony Mémin; Privatdozent Dr. Nicolas Rambaux