Modelling the scattering by the lunar surface of the sun's radiation and of the solar radiation reflected by the earth

Abstract

This paper presents the main conclusions of the modelling of the scattering of solar and terrestrial radiations by the moon's surface. The results of solving the geometrical problem are presented, making it possible to compute the distribution over the moon's surface of the brightness of the scattered radiation in the 300-2500-nm spectral region for arbitrary observation conditions. A qualitative comparison is carried out of the theoretical and observational distributions of the radiance of scattered solar radiation over the moon's disk when observed from the earth's surface for various phases of the moon. The results of calculations of the radiance distribution of earthshine over the moon's disk are presented in the form of images. Data are given that make it possible to determine the most favorable conditions for quantitative measurements. © 2004 Optical Society of America