The interaction of lunar rock and far infrared radiation

Abstract

It is the purpose of this paper to review first those measurements which can be made of the interaction of far infrared radiation with lunar rock and then to discuss the significance of these measurements. The measurements themselves may be made either by observing the radiation mostly thermal, which comes from the lunar surface or subsurface layers; or by laboratory observations of the effect of the interaction of a beam of far infrared radiation with various lunar samples. The interpretations of the measurements can also be subdivided depending on whether they have direct significance for the Moon or more generally for astronomical science.