The Diviner Lunar Radiometer is one of seven instruments aboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft, which was launched on June 18, 2009.
The instrument was designed to meet the following science objectives:
- create detailed global maps of lunar surface temperature
- identify potential ice deposits on the Moon
- map compositional variations
- derive subsurface temperatures
- infer landing hazards such as surface roughness and rock abundance
Diviner is a multi-channel solar reflectance and infrared radiometer consisting of two bore-sighted telescopes that focus emitted and reflected radiation from the lunar surface onto uncooled thermopile detectors.
It has nine spectral channels which transmit different portions of the visible and infrared spectrum - each with a specific application that addresses one or more of the instruments science goals. Diviner includes an articulated elevation / azimuth mount that allows it to point in virtually any direction.
