Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Proceedings · 1973 · 18 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesEarth SciencesGeophysicsAtmospheric ScienceRadiation DetectionRadiation PhysicsAtmospheric IonizationAtomic IonizationIonization ProcessesAir IonizationAtmospheric Electric FieldInterplanetary Magnetic Field EffectsIonizationIonization Structure
The ionization of neutral atoms in the lunar atmosphere produces an ionosphere around the moon. These ions are accelerated by the interplanetary electric field and local surface fields to energies of 10 to 500 eV. The Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiment (SIDE) has been observing these ions from the lunar atmosphere. The observations have been divided into four categories based on the acceleration mechanism.