Explorer 35 plasma measurements in the vicinity of the Moon

Abstract

The purpose of this note is to report some initial conclusions about the influence of the moon on the flow of charged solar-wind particles. These conclusions are based on early plasma measurements obtained by the M.I.T. Faraday-cup-type detector flown on Explorer 35 (AIMP-E). This satellite was launched July 19, 1967, from Cape Kennedy and was injected into a selenocentric orbit on July 22. The initial orbital parameters in lunar radii are: periselene 1.4, aposelene 5.4; the orbital period about the moon is 11.5 hours.