The lunar environment - Atmosphere and radiation

Details The lunar environment - Atmosphere and radiation The lunar environment - Atmosphere and radiation

Jul 1990

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1990aipc..207..288v&link_type=abstract

IN: Astrophysics from the moon; Proceedings of the Workshop, Annapolis, MD, Feb. 5-7, 1990 (A91-56576 24-89). New York, American

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Astronomy, Lunar Atmosphere, Lunar Based Equipment, Lunar Environment, Lunar Surface, Radiation Hazards, Background Radiation, Galactic Cosmic Rays, Photoionization, Plasma Interactions, Solar Wind

Scientific paper

The moon is an attractive location for astronomical observatories because of the absence of a substantial lunar atmosphere and the stability of the lunar surface. The present lunar atmosphere is sufficiently transparent that there is no significant image distortion due to absorption or refraction. This thin atmosphere results from a combination of small sources and prompt losses. The solar wind is the major source, with a total mass input into the lunar atmosphere of less than 50 gm/sec. The principal atmospheric loss mechanism for most gases is photoionization within a period of weeks to months, followed by immediate loss to the solar wind. Lunar base activities will add gases to the lunar atmosphere by rocket exhaust, processing of lunar materials, venting of pressurized volumes, and astronaut life support systems. Although these sources will substantially exceed natural sources, for modest lunar base activity the effects are expected to be localized and transient and not a significant impediment to lunar based astronomy.

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