Physical processes of formation and features of the plasma—dust exosphere of the Moon

L.M. Zelenyi^†^a, A.V. Zakharov^‡^a, S.I. Popel^§^a, b, I.A. Kuznetsov^*^a, E.V. Rozenfeld^#^c
^aSpace Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsoyuznaya str. 84/32, Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation
^bHSE University, ul. Myasnitskaya 20, Moscow, 101000, Russian Federation
^cMikheev Institute of Metal Physics, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, S Kovalevskoi str. 18, Ekaterinburg, 620108, Russian Federation

We review studies of physical processes associated with the impact of external factors in outer space — flows of micrometeoroids and solar radiation — on the lunar regolith. Under the influence of these factors, regolith microparticles can detach from the surface and levitate. Near-surface plasma and levitating dust particles form a plasma—dust exosphere of the Moon. Under anthropogenic effects on the lunar environment, charged levitating microparticles can have an extremely negative impact on the engineering systems of lunar landers and on the activity and health of astronauts on the Moon. Based on information gained by automated and manned lunar missions and in laboratory experiments, we discuss modern ideas about physical processes occurring near the Moon's surface. Unsolved problems associated with the plasma—dust exosphere of the Moon are considered, and the principal strategies for their solution are outlined.

Keywords: Moon, plasma, lunar dust, solar wind, micrometeoroids, regolith, exosphere
PACS: 52.27.Lw, 96.12.−a, 96.20.−n (all)
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2023.09.039567
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2024/6/a/
Web of Science

001334470800001
Scopus

2-s2.0-85193839331
ADS NASA

2024PhyU...67..533Z
Citation: Zelenyi L M, Zakharov A V, Popel S I, Kuznetsov I A, Rozenfeld E V "Physical processes of formation and features of the plasma—dust exosphere of the Moon" Phys. Usp. 67 533–560 (2024)

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Received: 17th, July 2023, revised: 18th, September 2023, accepted: 22nd, September 2023

Оригинал: Зелёный Л М, Захаров А В, Попель С И, Кузнецов И А, Розенфельд Е В «Физические процессы формирования и особенности плазменно-пылевой экзосферы Луны» УФН 194 569–599 (2024); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2023.09.039567