How does the M3 map the moon?
The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3, or m-cube) is based on the principle of reflectance spectroscopy, a measure of the different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation (sunlight) that reflect off a particular surface in this case, the Moon. To characterize, or identify, the composition of the lunar rocks and minerals, the M3 instrument will detect electromagnetic radiation in the visible light and the near-infrared wavelengths.
