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Magnetic permeability measurements and a lunar core
Author(s) -
Goldstein B. E.,
Phillips R. J.,
Russell C. T.
Publication year - 1976
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/gl003i006p00289
Subject(s) - earth's magnetic field , diamagnetism , geophysics , magnetic field , permeability (electromagnetism) , lunar mare , geology , astrobiology , physics , chemistry , biochemistry , membrane , impact crater , quantum mechanics
Measurements of the magnetic field induced in the moon while it is in the geomagnetic tail lobes have been interpreted in terms of lunar magnetic permeability due to free iron content; such studies ignored the possibility that a highly conducting lunar core (Fe or FeS) would exclude magnetic fields with an apparent diamagnetic effect. Using lunar chemical and thermal models to determine plausible limits of magnetic permeability, we interpret measurements of the induced moment. The maximum likely radius of a lunar core is 580 km. Subsatellite and ALSEP measurements of the induced field are in disagreement. Resolving the differences is critical to determining whether a core could or does exist.