Lunar Surface Charging: A Global Perspective Using Lunar Prospector Data
Lunar Surface Charging: A Global Perspective Using Lunar Prospector Data
复制标题
月球表面充电：使用月球勘探者数据的全球视角
DOI：
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发表时间：
2007
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
R. Vondrak
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
T. Stubbs;J. Halekas;W. Farrell;R. Vondrak
月球表面的静电荷电是由于它与当地等离子体环境的相互作用以及太阳紫外线和X射线诱导的电子光电子发射造成的。这里使用探测器方程来计算月球表面静电势作为与太阳下点夹角的函数，从而提供了关于充电过程的全局视角。由于月球在其轨道的大部分时间都处于太阳风等离子体流中，因此首先确定了典型的快流和慢流条件下的表面势。然后使用月球探测器上的电子反射仪的数据来计算它们。后者揭示了月球尾迹的热而稀薄的等离子体如何在月球的夜侧驱动巨大的负表面电势(高达−200V)。还讨论了地球磁层中的月球表面电荷，初步预测等离子体片中的月面电荷为~−600V。预测表面电势的能力对于了解月球环境是至关重要的；特别是离子溅射和电驱动尘埃传输等过程。后者尤其重要，因为尘埃严重干扰了阿波罗的探测活动。
The electrostatic charging of the lunar surface is caused by its interaction with the local plasma environment and solar UV and X-ray induced photoemission of electrons. Probe equations are used here to calculate electrostatic lunar surface potentials as a function of angle from the subsolar point, thus giving a global perspective on charging processes. Since the Moon is in the solar wind plasma flow for most of its orbit, surface potentials are first determined for typical fast and slow stream conditions. They are then calculated using data from the Electron Reflectometer aboard Lunar Prospector. The latter reveals how the hot tenuous plasma of the lunar wake drives large negative surface potentials (up to −200 V) on the nightside of the Moon. Lunar surface charging in the Earth’s magnetosphere is also discussed, with initial predictions indicating that the nightside charges to ~ −600 V in the plasma sheet. The ability to predict surface potentials is vital for understanding the lunar environment; in particular, processes such as ion sputtering and electrically-driven dust transport. The latter is especially important since dust significantly interfered with Apollo exploration activities.