On the Role of Magnetic Fields in the Plasma of Dusty Lunar Exosphere

• Published in: Plasma physics reports Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 512 - 517
• Main Authors: Popel, S. I., Golub’, A. P., Kassem, A. I., Zelenyi, L. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow Pleiades Publishing 01.05.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Atomic; Dusty Plasma; Dusty plasmas; Earth; Exosphere; Lunar dust; Lunar surface; Magnetic anomalies; Magnetic fields; Magnetism; Magnetotails; Molecular; Moon; Optical and Plasma Physics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Solar radiation; regions of lunar magnetic anomalies; magnetic field; Earth’s magnetosphere; dusty plasma; Moon
• ISSN: 1063-780X; 1562-6938
• DOI: 10.1134/S1063780X22200065

The possible effect is studied of the magnetic field of Earth’s magnetotail and the magnetic field in the regions of magnetic anomalies of the Moon on the processes of formation of dusty plasma above the Moon. It is shown that due to the action of the magnetic field in Earth’s magnetotail, transfer of charged dust is possible over long distances above Moon’s surface. Accordingly, the dusty plasma above the surface of the Moon illuminated by the solar radiation can exist in the entire range of lunar latitudes. The transfer of dust grains over long distances due to the uncompensated magnetic component of Lorenz force is a new qualitative effect that is absent in the absence of magnetic field. The magnetic component of Lorenz force acting on the dust grain from the fields of magnetic anomalies is either lower or comparable to the similar force calculated for the magnetic fields of Earth’s magnetotail. However, due to the substantial localization of magnetic anomalies, their effect on the dynamics of charged dust grains above the Moon’s surface does not lead to new qualitative effects.