Lunar Surface Gravimeter

Description

The purpose of the lunar surface gravimeter experiment (S-207) was to obtain highly accurate measurements of the lunar surface gravitational acceleration and its temporal variations at a selected point on the surface. Specific objectives were determination of the value of lunar gravity relative to earth gravity (with an accuracy of about 1 part in 1.E5), determination of the magnitude of lunar surface deformation due to tidal forces, measurement of vertical components of lunar natural seismicity, and monitoring of free oscillations of the moon that may be induced by gravitational radiation from cosmic sources. The equipment consisted of electronics, sensors (spring mass suspension capacitor plates), a sunshield, and a ribbon cable to the central station electronics. The crew deployed this experiment about 8 m from the ALSEP central station. This procedure consisted of leveling and alignment within plus or minus 3 deg, using the sunshield shadow, and mating the cable to the central station.