Journal article
Regarding the possible generation of a lunar nightside exo-ionosphere
Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962), Vol.216(1), pp.169-172
2011
DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2011.08.013
Abstract
The non-condensing neutral helium exosphere is at its most concentrated levels on the cold lunar nightside. We show herein that these He atoms are susceptible to impact ionization from primary and secondary electrons flowing in the vicinity of the negatively-charged nightside lunar surface. The secondary electron beams are a relatively recent discovery and are found to be emitted from the nightside surface at energies consistent with the negative surface potential. The effect is to create an electron impact-created ionosphere in nightside regions, possibly especially potent within polar craters.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Regarding the possible generation of a lunar nightside exo-ionosphere
- Creators
- W.M Farrell - Ames Research CenterJ.S Halekas - University of California, BerkeleyT.J Stubbs - University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyG.T Delory - University of California, BerkeleyR.M Killen - Ames Research CenterR.E Hartle - Goddard Space Flight CenterM.R Collier - Ames Research Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962), Vol.216(1), pp.169-172
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.icarus.2011.08.013
- ISSN
- 0019-1035
- eISSN
- 1090-2643
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2011
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984199796502771
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