Electrostatic erosion mechanisms on the Moon

Abstract

The electrostatic processes which have been suggested by Gold as being responsible for erosion of the lunar features are evaluated. The statistics of the charge build-up on the grains of lunar dust due to the solar gas streams are considered. On the basis of the derived probability distribution for grain charge, the electrostatic hopping effect is shown to result in an erosion rate which is lower by a factor of at least 102 than that rate indicated by observations of the moon. It is found that, owing to the supporting action of the electronic space charge, positively charged dust grains may be levitated above the surface. The mass transport resulting from the ‘downhill’ gliding of such levitated grains may be sufficient to explain observed lunar erosion.