The lunar atmosphere |
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| Authors: | RR Hodges JH Hoffman Francis S Johnson |
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| Institution: | The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75230, USA |
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| Abstract: | In contrast to earth, the atmosphere of the moon is exceedingly tenuous and appears to consist mainly of noble gases. The solar wind impinges on the lunar surface, supplying detectable amounts of helium, neon and 36Ar. Influxes of solar wind protons and carbon and nitrogen ions are significant, but atmospheric gases containing these elements have not been positively identified. Radiogenic 40Ar and 222Rn produced within the moon have been detected. The present rate of effusion of argon from the moon accounts for about 0.4% of the total production of 40Ar due to decay of 40K if the average abundance of potassium in the moon is 1000 ppm. Lack of weathering processes in the regolith suggests that most of the atmospheric 40Ar originates deep in the lunar interior, perhaps in a partially molten core. If so, other gases may be vented along with the argon. |
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