Galileo stereo topography of the lunar north polar region

Estimates of the elevation of the lunar polar regions are uncertain to a few km. Galileo stereo images of the north polar region were used to derive a new topographic map, partially filling the gap in Clementine LIDAR topography northward of 80°, and providing an independent constraint on lunar polar topography and solar illumination. Our Galileo elevation model has an estimated vertical precision of ∼200 m, and a measurement footprint of ∼9 km. These new data show that the north polar region (frontside) is, to within the margin of error, consistent with radar derived estimates.