The Interplanetary Micrometeoroid Flux and Lunar Primary and Secondary Microcraters

Zook, H. A.; Lange, G.; Grün, E.; Fechtig, H.

doi:10.1007/978-94-009-5464-9_19

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 10 publications

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“…Additional sources of damage are the fast secondary ejecta particles that have speeds above the lunar escape speed, generated at shallow angles [26]. They dominate the generation of micro craters with diameters below 7 μm observed on lunar rocks [27,28]. The cratering rate of these small pits, compared with the predictions based on in situ measurements of micrometeoroids in space, indicate a flux of fast ejecta ≃10 normalm−2 normals−1 of particles with radii ∼1 μm [9], that generates a negligibly slow surface degradation rate due to cratering.…”

Section: High-altitude Dust Ejecta Cloudmentioning

confidence: 99%

The lunar dust environment: concerns for Moon-based astronomy

Horányi,

Szalay,

Wang

2024

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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The Moon has no atmosphere, hence, it offers a unique opportunity to place telescopes on its surface for astronomical observations. It is phase-locked with Earth, and its far side remains free from ground-based interference, enabling the optimal use of radio telescopes. However, the surface of the Moon, as any other airless planetary object in the solar system, is continually bombarded by interplanetary dust particles that cause impact damage and generate secondary ejecta particles that continually overturn the top layer of the lunar regolith. In addition, there is evidence, that small particles comprising the lunar regolith can be electrically charged, mobilized and transported, also representing a hazard for covering sensitive surfaces and interfering with exposed mechanical structures. In addition to the naturally occurring dust transport, rocket firings during landings and take-offs, pedestrian and motorized vehicle traffic will also liberate copious amounts of dust, representing a potential hazard for the safe and optimal use of optical platforms. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Astronomy from the Moon: the next decades (part 2)’.

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