Electrostatic dust transport and Apollo 17 LEAM experimentThe Lunar Ejecta and Meteorite (LEAM) experiment has been in operation since December 1973 when it was deployed in the Taurus-Littrow region of the moon by the Apollo 17 crew. A specialized analysis based on more than twenty-two lunations of the impact data shows that all of the events recorded by the sensors during the terminator passages are essentially lunar surface microparticles carrying a high electrostatic charge. Charged lunar fines held in place by adhesive forces can be ejected into space if the electrostatic stress exceeds the adhesive strength. A simple laboratory test demonstrated that this soil transport can indeed take place at the lunar terminator and in the vicinity of it.
Document ID
19780034258
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Rhee, J. W. (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, Ind., United States)
Berg, O. E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Wolf, H. (Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Seabrook, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1977
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Symposium on Minor Constituents and Excited Species