Dusty plasma sheath-like structure in the region of lunar terminator

Journal Article · Tue Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4937368· OSTI ID:22489981

Popel, S. I.; Zelenyi, L. M. ^[1]; Atamaniuk, B. ^[2]

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1. Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region 141700 (Russian Federation)
2. Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 00-716 (Poland)

The main properties of the dusty plasma layer near the surface over the illuminated and dark parts of the Moon are described. They are used to realize dusty plasma behaviour and to determine electric fields over the terminator region. Possibility of the existence of a dusty plasma sheath-like structure in the region of lunar terminator is shown. The electric fields excited in the terminator region are demonstrated to be on the order of 300 V/m. These electric fields can result in rise of dust particles of the size of 2–3 μm up to an altitude of about 30 cm over the lunar surface that explains the effect of “horizon glow” observed at the terminator by Surveyor lunar lander.

• OSTI ID: 22489981
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 22, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALTITUDE
DUSTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
MOON
PARTICLES
PLASMA SHEATH