A doctoral student discovered that solar radiation could be a more important source of lunar iron nanoparticles than previously thought.
Tiny iron nanoparticles, unlike those found naturally on Earth, are found almost everywhere on the Moon — and scientists are trying to understand why. A new study led by Northern Arizona University doctoral candidate Christian J. Tay Udovic, in collaboration with Assistant Professor Christopher Edwards, both of the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science at the University of North Carolina, has revealed important clues to help understand the surprising activity. lunar surface. In a recent article published in Geophysical Research LetterAnd Scientists have discovered that solar radiation could be a more important source of lunar iron nanoparticles than previously thought.
Asteroid impacts and solar radiation affect the Moon in a unique way because it lacks a protective magnetic field and atmosphere that protects us on Earth. Both asteroids and solar radiation break up lunar rock and soil, forming iron nanoparticles (some smaller, some larger) that can be detected from instruments on moon-orbiting satellites. This study uses data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (
“We have long believed that the solar wind has minimal effect on the evolution of the lunar surface, when in fact it may be the most important process for the production of iron nanoparticles,” said Tai Yudovicic. “Because iron absorbs so much light, small amounts of these particles can be detected from great distances – which makes them a great indicator of changes on the Moon.”
The abundance of iron nanoparticles on the Moon increases over time, but varies by size. Larger iron nanoparticles were found in higher amounts but appeared to form in general more slowly than smaller iron nanoparticles. Credit: University of Northern Arizona
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Surprisingly, the smaller iron nanoparticles appear to form at a rate similar to radiation damage in samples returned from the Apollo missions to the Moon, a clue that the Sun had a strong influence in their formation.
“When I first saw the sample Apollo data and satellite data side by side, I was shocked,” said Tai Yudovicic. “This study shows that solar radiation can have a much greater effect on energy changes on the Moon than previously thought, not only dimming its surface, but also generating small amounts of water that can be used for future missions.”
As NASA prepares to land the first woman and next man on the Moon in 2024 as part of the Artemis mission, understanding the solar radiation environment and potential resources on the Moon is critical. In future work that recently won the BEST grant from NASA, Tai Yudowicz plans to expand his target studies to the entire moon, but also wants to take a closer look at the mysterious lunar vortexes, one of which was recently selected as the Landing site for the Lunar Vertex rover. which will come. It also studies lunar temperatures and water ice stability to inform future missions.
“This work helps us understand how the lunar surface changes over time, from a bird’s eye view,” said Tai Udovicic. “While there is still much to learn, we want to ensure that when we return to the Moon, this mission is supported by the best available science. This is the most exciting time to be a lunar scientist since the end of the Apollo era. in the 1970s.”
Reference: “New Constraints to Weathering Rates in the Optical Space of the Moon” by CJ Tai Udovicic, ES Costello, RR Ghent, and CS Edwards, 19 June 2021, Geophysical Research Letter.
doi: 10.1029/ 2020GL092198
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