Investigations of electrostatic dust transport on the lunar surface
Abstract
Electrostatic dust transport has been suggested to explain a number of planetary phenomena, including several lunar observations during the Apollo missions. Recent laboratory experiments and computer simulations have greatly advanced our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of dust charging and lofting. A "patched charge model" suggests that the emission and absorption of photoelectrons and/or secondary electrons inside microcavities between dust particles creates unexpectedly large charges on surrounding dust particles. Several characteristics of lofted dust have been further measured, including its charge, velocity, size, and flux. These laboratory results provide critical information for designing an Electrostatic Dust Analyzer (EDA) for in situ measurements of dust transport on the lunar surface. The EDA consists of two arrays of wire electrodes sandwiching a set of deflection field electrodes. The charge and velocity of a dust particle are measured using induced charge on the wire electrodes. Its mass is determined from the deflection of its trajectory. The EDA is under development for being placed on the lunar surface to ultimately solve this five-decade long puzzle.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.P31C3481W
- Keywords:
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- 6205 Asteroids;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 6230 Martian satellites;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 6250 Moon;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS