Excitation of Lunar Luminescence by Solar Flares

Journal Article · Sat Jan 18 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Nature (London)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/201239a0· OSTI ID:4101806

KOPAL, ZDENĚK; RACKHAM, THOMAS W.

The consequences of a hypothesis that the temporary enhancement of the Kepler area in the red, observed on Nov. 1-2, was caused by the luminescence of lunar ground covered by meteoritic debris, similar in composition to the samples induced to luminesce under proton bombardment simulating the solar wind, are developed. If the tentative explanation of lunar observations proves to be correct, the enhancement in brightness of the Kepler region on the night of Nov. 1-2 represents the first case on record when the luminescence of lunar ground can be related with specific solar events and would also constitute a proof of the fact that the crater Kepler was produced by impact of a stony meteorite.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Manchester, Eng.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-010758
• OSTI ID: 4101806
• Journal Information: Nature (London), Journal Name: Nature (London) Journal Issue: 4916 Vol. 201; ISSN 0028-0836
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ASTROPHYSICS
COLOR
COSMIC RADIATION
EMISSION
EXCITATION
LIGHT
LUMINESCENCE
METEORITES
MOON
PLASMA
PROTONS
SOLAR WIND
SPECTRA
SUN
SURFACES