LOWER-HYBRID WAVES IN THE EXOSPHERE OF THE MOON

Abstract

A description is given of the wave processes in the interaction of the tail of the Earth's magnetosphere with the dusty exosphere of the Moon. The significance of the lower-hybrid waves appears in this case. It is found that the development of linear hydrodynamic instability leads to the excitation of the lower-hybrid waves. Furthermore, the development of the instability is due to the relative motion of magnetosphere ions and charged dust particles. The processes of development of lower-hybrid turbulence, which is considered from the standpoint of strong turbulence, are investigated. Based on wave-ion interaction, the effective collision frequency which characterizes the anomalous loss of ion momentum is determined. Moreover, the electric fields which arise in the region of interaction of the dusty plasma near the Moon and the Earth's magnetosphere are evaluated. The excitation of the electric fields produced due to the development of lower-hybrid turbulence is thought to play a significant role from the viewpoint of the electric field pattern at the Moon. The effects of lower-hybrid turbulence in the near-surface lunar dusty plasma should be taken into account when interpreting the observational data.