Abstract
The fundamental problem of lunar topography consists of determining the exact shape of the lunar surface (i.e., its deviations from a sphere) on the basis of observations which can be made from the Earth. This requires, in turn, a determination of absolute (three-dimensional) coordinates of a sufficient number of specific control points on the Moon, through which a smooth surface may be interpolated by harmonic analysis. The aim of the present chapter will be to outline the methods by which this task can be approached, and to summarize briefly the results which have so far been obtained by their application.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Bibliographical Notes
A presentation of the stereoscopic method for the determination of the form of the lunar surface, as given in this chapter, follows largely Goudas (1965a); cf. also Goudas (1966a). For a similar harmonic analysis of the shape of the Earth, cf., e.g., Prey (1922), Vening Meinesz (1959), Hofsommer et al. (1959). Of other earlier references, cf., Saunder (1900, 1901, 1905).
Concerning the methods and results of a determination of the lunar limb profiles, further information can be found in Chevalier (1917), Joksch (1957), Gavrilov (1959, 1961), Potter (1960), Brockhaus and Joksch (1960), Brockamp (1960), Potter and Bystrov (1962), Gorynia and Drofa (1962) or Goudas (1965b, 1966a).
For a determination of the shape of the Moon from measurements of the terminators, cf., Mainka (1901), Ritter (1934), Yakovkin and Belkovich (1935) or Hopmann (1964).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1966 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kopal, Z. (1966). Global Form of the Moon; Definition of Lunar Coordinates. In: An Introduction to the Study of the Moon. Astrophysics and Space Science Library. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-6320-2_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-6320-2_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-5850-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-6320-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive