Computer Science
Scientific paper
Apr 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976lpsc....7..533b&link_type=abstract
In: Lunar Science Conference, 7th, Houston, Tex., March 15-19, 1976, Proceedings. Volume 1. (A77-34651 15-91) New York, Pergamon
Computer Science
Atmospheric Composition, Atmospheric Models, Exosphere, Ion Density (Concentration), Lunar Atmosphere, Terminator Lines, Energy Distribution, Energy Spectra, Gas Composition, Mass Spectroscopy, Neon
Scientific paper
Lunar exospheric ions were accelerated by the solar-wind electric field into the Suprathermal Ion-Detector Experiment (SIDE), which was deployed on the lunar surface during the Apollo missions. Analysis of simultaneous mass and energy spectra from the SIDE indicates that the dominant component of the neutral exosphere at the lunar surface is a gas with mass on the order of 20 amu/q (consistent with Ne-20). The SIDE mass spectra also indicate the presence of gas with a mass of the order of 40 amu/q (consistent with Ar-40). By modeling the lunar exosphere as two exponentially height-distributed gases (Ne-20 and Ar-40), a good fit to the SIDE ion energy spectra can be achieved. The data indicate a surface concentration (n) of the order of 100,000 per cu cm for Ne-20 and 10,000 per cu cm for Ar-40 at a solar zenith angle of about 60 deg. The observed magnitudes of n for neon are consistent with the assumption that the solar wind is the only source of the neon.
Benson Jennifer L.
Freeman Walter J.
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