Global Modeling of the Lunar Surface Electric Field

Details Global Modeling of the Lunar Surface Electric Field Global Modeling of the Lunar Surface Electric Field

Dec 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005agufmsh41c..02s&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2005, abstract #SH41C-02

Physics

2732 Magnetosphere Interactions With Satellites And Rings, 2780 Solar Wind Interactions With Unmagnetized Bodies, 5421 Interactions With Particles And Fields, 6025 Interactions With Solar Wind Plasma And Fields, 6250 Moon (1221)

Scientific paper

The electrostatic charging of the lunar surface is caused by its interaction with the local plasma environment (e.g., the solar wind) and the photoemission of electrons from the dayside due to solar UV and X-rays. In this study probe equations are used in conjunction with observations from the Electron Reflectometer aboard Lunar Prospector to gain a global perspective of lunar surface charging. Firstly, we compare lunar surface charging during periods when the Moon is the solar wind and various regions within the Earth's magnetosphere. Secondly, we investigate the effects of secondary electron currents, which are particularly significant on the nightside, and the lunar plasma wake (in the solar wind case). Thirdly, we investigate the possibility of a horizontal electric field forming at the transition from positive to negative surface potential (i.e., near the terminator region). The ability to predict the potential anywhere on the lunar surface is vital in understanding ion sputtering and electrically-driven dust transport. The latter is particularly important since it was well documented during the Apollo era that lunar dust greatly interfered with exploration activities.

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