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The lunar atmosphereIn contrast to the earth's atmosphere, the atmosphere of the moon is exceedingly tenuous and appears to consist mainly of noble gases. The solar wind impinges on the lunar surface, supplying detectable amounts of helium, neon and Ar-36. Influxes of solar wind protons and carbon and nitrogen ions are significant, but atmospheric gases containing these elements have not been positively identified. Radiogenic Ar-40 and Rn-222 produced within the moon have been detected. The present rate of effusion of argon from the moon accounts for about 0.4% of the total production of Ar-40 due to decay of K-40 if the average abundance of potassium in the moon is 1000 ppm. Lack of weathering processes in the regolith suggests that most of the atmospheric Ar-40 originates deep in the lunar interior, perhaps in a partially molten core. If so, other gases may be vented along with the argon.
Document ID
19740049588
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hodges, R. R., Jr.
Hoffman, J. H.
Johnson, F. S.
(Texas, University Dallas, Tex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1974
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 21
Subject Category
Space Sciences
Accession Number
74A32338
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-12074
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-5964
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS9-10410
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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