Open AccessShort‐time exosphere evolution following an impulsive vapor release on the Moon
Author(s) -
Goldstein David B.,
Austin J. Victor,
Barker Edwin S.,
Nerem R. Steven
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: planets
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2000je001326
Subject(s) - exosphere , astrobiology , impact crater , water vapor , spacecraft , atmosphere (unit) , tidal heating , atmospheric escape , thermal , geology , polar , water ice , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , geophysics , planet , physics , astronomy , mars exploration program , meteorology , ion , quantum mechanics
The impact of the Lunar Prospector spacecraft in a lunar polar crater was used in an (unsuccessful) attempt to detect the release of vapor from volatilized water ice. The short‐time evolution of such an impulsively produced atmosphere is discussed. The effects of the initial vapor temperature (and thus its initial molecular thermal velocity) and the nature of the gas‐surface interaction are examined parametrically. It is shown that the exosphere quickly diffuses to the nightside of the Moon. The results have implications for observations of impulsive gas releases on airless bodies in general.