Abstract
Although the Moon possesses no large-scale intrinsic magnetic field, locally strong crustal fields exist which must be considered in assessing lunar utilization scenarios. On the basis of available data, orbital anomalies most probably imply the presence of subsurface concentrations of metallic iron in the single-domain size range. Numerical simulations are employed to show that solar wind ion deflection by strong lunar magnetic anomalies can produce local increases, as well as decreases, in the implantation rate of solar wind hydrogen. The largest concentrations of implanted solar wind volatiles may therefore be found in local areas near strong anomalies. Model simulations indicate that the ability of magnetic anomalies to shield the surface from incident ions increases with the angle of incidence and hence for most particle sources, with selenographic latitude. -from Author
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 18,275-18,284 |
Journal | Journal of geophysical research |
Volume | 97 |
Issue number | E11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1992 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry