Simulations of the Evolution of Vapor Ejected by the LCROSS Impact on the Moon

Details Simulations of the Evolution of Vapor Ejected by the LCROSS Impact on the Moon Simulations of the Evolution of Vapor Ejected by the LCROSS Impact on the Moon

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.u31b0033h&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #U31B-0033

Physics

[0328] Atmospheric Composition And Structure / Exosphere, [5405] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Atmospheres, [5462] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Polar Regions, [6250] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Moon

Scientific paper

We present simulations of the vapor plume evolution resulting from the LCROSS impact onto the Moon. The simulation employs the Monte Carlo technique to follow the trajectory of particles assuming a collisionless atmosphere from the time the particle reaches the collisionless regime until the particle is lost from the Moon. We use realistic topography and examine how different implementation of physics within the model affect the evolution of the vapor plume. We simulate Na, H2O, OH, H, O, and Ar. If observations from LAMP and ground-based observations of Na are successful (they are TBD at the time of writing the abstract), we present the observations and use the model to interpret them. LAMP is the Lyman Alpha Mapping Project onboard Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. After impact, LAMP will observe FUV spectra in search of H and Ar in the atmosphere. We propose to use the McMath-Pierce Main to observe the impact plume, which is scheduled to occur on October 9, 2009 at 11:30 UT (7:30 a.m. EDT, 4:30 a.m. PDT), +/- 30 minutes. The spectrum of the impact plume will be measured using the Stellar Spectrograph and the McMath-Pierce Main telescope. The spectral range will be chosen to observed sodium. The purpose of this observation is to calibrate the impact. We know the sodium content of the regolith. A measure of the extra sodium content in the impact plume will serve to calibrate the impact. We will observe the impact region with the East Auxillary Telescope in white light to estimate the amount of dust produced by the impact. Distribution of simulated Ar particles 2 hours after the LCROSS impact.

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