Evidence for negative charging of the lunar surface in shadow

Details Evidence for negative charging of the lunar surface in shadow Evidence for negative charging of the lunar surface in shadow

May 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002georl..29j..77h&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 29, Issue 10, pp. 77-1, CiteID 1435, DOI 10.1029/2001GL014428

Physics

Plasma Physics

27

Planetary Sciences: Interactions With Particles And Fields, Planetary Sciences: Surface Materials And Properties, Planetology: Solar System Objects: Moon (1221), Space Plasma Physics: Spacecraft Sheaths, Wakes, Charging

Scientific paper

Observations of electron distributions above the shadowed surface of the Moon show energy-dependent loss cones which indicate reflection by both magnetic and electric fields. At the same time, low energy (<~100 eV) field aligned upward-going electron beams are observed. Together, these observations imply average night-side potential differences between the surface and the Lunar Prospector (LP) spacecraft of ~-35 V. The lunar surface may be at an even higher negative potential relative to the ambient plasma, since LP will likely also charge negative. The potential difference is consistent with simple current balance models which include secondary emission. No clear dependence is found on surface terrane type and age, or on ambient electron density and temperature. Instead, the potential difference is found to depend strongly on the angle from the subsolar point and the angle between the magnetic field and the normal to the lunar surface.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Evidence for negative charging of the lunar surface in shadow 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 Evidence for negative charging of the lunar surface in shadow, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evidence for negative charging of the lunar surface in shadow will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1517516