A soft X-ray image of the Moon
Abstract
A soft X-ray image of the Moon obtained by the Röntgen Observatory Satellite ROSAT clearly shows a sunlit crescent, demonstrating that the Moon's X-ray luminosity arises from backscattering of solar X-rays. The Moon's optically dark side is also X-ray dark, and casts a distinct shadow on the diffuse cosmic X-ray background. Unexpectedly, the dark side seems to emit X-rays at a level about one per cent of that of the bright side; this emission very probably results from energetic solar-wind electrons striking the Moon's surface.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- February 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1038/349583a0
- Bibcode:
- 1991Natur.349..583S
- Keywords:
-
- Lunar Exploration;
- Rosat Mission;
- X Ray Imagery;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Backscattering;
- Luminosity;
- Solar Radiation;
- Solar Wind;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Moon;
- MOON;
- X-RAY METHODS;
- LUMINOSITY;
- SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS;
- X-RAYS;
- SOURCE;
- EMISSIONS;
- RADIATION;
- SOLAR WIND;
- ELECTRONS;
- PARAMETERS;
- BACKSCATTER;
- ORIGIN;
- FARSIDE;
- SURFACE;
- HYPOTHESES;
- INTERACTION;
- BOMBARDMENT;
- VELOCITY;
- MAGNETIC FIELD;
- CALCULATIONS