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Lunar atmospheric helium detections by the LAMP UV spectrograph on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Author(s) -
Stern S. A.,
Retherford K. D.,
Tsang C. C. C.,
Feldman P. D.,
Pryor W.,
Gladstone G. R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2012gl051797
Subject(s) - orbiter , astrobiology , spectrograph , remote sensing , helium , atmosphere (unit) , airglow , far side of the moon , spectrometer , icy moon , noble gas , astronomy , environmental science , physics , geology , planet , meteorology , optics , spectral line , atomic physics , quantum mechanics , saturn
The LAMP far ultraviolet spectrograph aboard the NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been used in 2011 to search for helium, the lightest noble gas in the tenuous lunar atmosphere. Based on that search, we report here the first detection of lunar atmospheric He by remote sensing, and point to future observations that can address questions about its source; we also discuss a search for lunar atmospheric argon.