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How Surface Composition and Meteoroid Impacts Mediate Sodium and Potassium in the Lunar ExosphereDespite being trace constituents of the lunar exosphere, sodium and potassium are the most readily observed species due to their bright line emission. Measurements of these species by the Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrometer (UVS) on the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) have revealed unambiguous temporal and spatial variations indicative of a strong role for meteoroid bombardment and surface composition in determining the composition and local time dependence of the Moon's exosphere. Observations show distinct lunar day (monthly) cycles for both species as well as an annual cycle for sodium. The first continuous measurements for potassium show a more repeatable variation across lunations and an enhancement over KREEP (Potassium Rare Earth Elements and Phosphorus) surface regions, revealing a strong dependence on surface composition.
Document ID
20170002396
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Colaprete, A.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Sarantos, M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Wooden, D. H.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Stubbs, T. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Cook, A. M.
(Millennium Engineering and Integration Co. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Shirley, M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
March 21, 2017
Publication Date
January 15, 2016
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Publisher: Science
Volume: o 351
Issue: 6270
ISSN: 1095-9203
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN40238
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA13AC87C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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