Journal article
Lunar Prospector measurements of secondary electron emission from lunar regolith
Planetary and space science, Vol.57(1), pp.78-82
2009
DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2008.11.009
Abstract
We present the first in situ measurements of the secondary electron emission efficiency of lunar regolith, utilizing Lunar Prospector measurements of secondary electrons emitted from the negatively charged night side and accelerated upward by surface electric fields. By comparing measurements of secondary currents emitted from the surface and incident primary electron currents, we find that the secondary yield of lunar regolith is a factor of ∼3 lower than that measured for samples in the laboratory. This lower yield significantly affects current balance at the lunar surface and the resulting equilibrium surface potentials. This information must be folded into models of the near-surface plasma sheath, in order to predict the effects on dust and other components of the lunar environment, and ultimately determine the importance for surface exploration and scientific investigations on the Moon.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Lunar Prospector measurements of secondary electron emission from lunar regolith
- Creators
- J.S Halekas - Space Sciences LaboratoryG.T Delory - Space Sciences LaboratoryR.P Lin - University of California, BerkeleyT.J Stubbs - University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyW.M Farrell - Goddard Space Flight Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Planetary and space science, Vol.57(1), pp.78-82
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.pss.2008.11.009
- ISSN
- 0032-0633
- eISSN
- 1873-5088
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2009
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984199795002771
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