Physics
Scientific paper
May 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agusmgp42a..01h&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2002, abstract #GP42A-01
Physics
5440 Magnetic Fields And Magnetism, 6250 Moon (1221)
Scientific paper
Like Mars, the Moon also possesses extensive but weaker crustal paleomagnetism that has been mapped from orbit by spacecraft magnetometers during the Apollo program and, more recently, by Lunar Prospector. Unlike Mars, the main ferromagnetic carriers in the reducing lunar environment are microscopic metallic iron particles, which are concentrated in impact-produced ejecta materials. These materials formed relatively rapidly allowing magnetization acquisition through shock and rapid cooling. Therefore, at least some of the observed crustal magnetization could have been imparted by transient magnetic fields generated, for example, during the expansion of impact plasmas in the presence of weaker ambient magnetic fields (e.g., the solar wind field). Empirical evidence for the importance of impact plasma fields is provided by inferred differences in directions of magnetization for anomaly sources and by the concentration of the strongest anomalies near the antipodes of young large basins. However, as suggested by studies of returned samples, it is also possible that a core dynamo existed during a limited epoch of early lunar history and that this dynamo field was responsible for producing stronger crustal magnetization during that epoch. If so, then the existence of a small metallic core would be required with secondary important implications for models of lunar origin and internal evolution. Current research aimed at resolving this question focuses on correlations of orbital anomalies with surface geology, quantitative modeling of selected anomaly sources, and measurements of the lunar induced magnetic dipole moment in the geomagnetic tail.
No associations
LandOfFree
Lunar Paleomagnetism: Core Dynamo, Impact Plasma Fields, or Both? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Lunar Paleomagnetism: Core Dynamo, Impact Plasma Fields, or Both?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lunar Paleomagnetism: Core Dynamo, Impact Plasma Fields, or Both? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1722070