Electric potential of the Moon in the solar wind

Abstract

Acceleration and detection of the lunar thermal ionosphere in the presence of the lunar electric field yields a value of at least +10 volts for the lunar electric potential for solar zenith angles between approximately 20° and 45° and in the magnetosheath or solar wind. An enhanced positive ion flux is observed with the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package Suprathermal Ion Detector Experiment when a preacceleration voltage attains certain values. This enhancement is greater when the moon is in the solar wind as opposed to the magnetosheath.