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Energetic neutral atom imaging of the lunar surface

Barabash, S.; Holmström, M.; Futaana, Y. +7 more

Since the Moon is not shielded by a global magnetic field or by an atmosphere, solar wind plasma impinges onto the lunar surface almost unhindered. Until recently, it was assumed that almost all of the impinging solar wind ions are absorbed by the surface. However, recent Interstellar Boundary Explorer, Chandrayaan-1, and Kaguya observations showe…

Near-lunar proton velocity distribution explained by electrostatic acceleration

Hutchinson, I. H.

The observation of parallel ion velocity in the near-lunar wake approximately equal to external solar wind velocity can be explained within uncertainties by an analytic electrostatic expansion model. The one-dimensional model frequently used is inadequate because it does not account for the moon's spherical shape. However, application of a more re…