Activity

Electrostatic Waves and Electron Heating Observed over Lunar Crustal Magnetic Anomalies

“Without a global magnetic field or a thick atmosphere, the solar wind directly impacts the surface of the Moon. However, over regions where the lunar crust is strongly magnetized, the charged particles in the solar wind can be reflected and travel back towards the incoming solar wind, generating interesting features like electrostatic waves. These waves can also in turn affect the solar wind by increasing the temperature of its charged particles. To understand the mechanisms causing the waves and heating, we analyze data from the Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence, and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun spacecraft. Our results indicate that the lunar environment becomes unstable because of the reflected charged particles, thereby creating free energies that lead to the waves and heating.”

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020JA028880