Difference between revisions of "Lunar outgassing"

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Outgassing events in which [[radon]], [[nitrogen]], [[carbon monoxide]], and [[carbon dioxide]] from deep in the lunar interior are vented to the surface may be the result of low level [[volcanic]] or [[tectonic]] events on the [[moon]], and are hypothesized to be the source of the extremely thin [[lunar atmosphere]].  Understanding when and where these events occur may help us understand more about [[lunar tectonics]] and how the [[moon's atmosphere]] was formed.
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Outgassing events in which [[radon]], [[nitrogen]], [[carbon monoxide]], and [[carbon dioxide]] from deep in the lunar interior are vented to the surface may be the result of low level [[volcanic]] or [[tectonic]] events on the [[moon]], and are hypothesized to be the source of the tenuous [[lunar atmosphere]].  Knowing when and where these events occur may help us understand more about [[lunar tectonics]] and how the moon's atmosphere was formed.
  
 
[[Carbon]] and [[Nitrogen]] are both vital elements which will have to be imported from earth or from [[Carbonaceous asteroids]].  If outgassing events can be predicted it may be possible to [[ISRU|utilize]] this valuable resource.
 
[[Carbon]] and [[Nitrogen]] are both vital elements which will have to be imported from earth or from [[Carbonaceous asteroids]].  If outgassing events can be predicted it may be possible to [[ISRU|utilize]] this valuable resource.
  
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The [[Alpha Particle Spectrometer]] aboard [[Lunar Prospector]] was designed to detect these events by tracking the [[alpha particle|alpha particles]] emitted during the decay of radon and [[polonium]] (a daughter element in it's decay series).  The APS data was obscured by solar activity during the mission, but may be viewable once the effects of solar activity have been filtered out.  This task has not been done.
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The [[Alpha Particle Spectrometer]] aboard [[Lunar Prospector]] was designed to detect these events by tracking the [[alpha particle|alpha particles]] emitted during the decay of [[radon|radon 222]] and [[polonium|polonium 226]] (two increments in the decay series of [[uranium|U238]], directly following [[radium|Ra226]]).  The APS data was obscured by solar activity during the mission, but may be viewable once the effects of solar activity have been filtered out.  This task has not been done.
  
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[[Ground Penetrating Radar]] studies have been made with [[wavelings]] penetrating 10-20 meters via [[Arecibo]] and [[Greenbank]], but deeper and higher resolution scans are likely needed to detect sub-surface gas pockets.  Radar dark areas in the 70cm band, termed "halos", have been detected around many [[impact crater]]s. An especially large halo has been detected around [[Aristarchus crater]] and encompasses much of the [[Aristarchus plateau]].  [[Aristarchus]] is the major source of recent outgassing events detected via [[Radon 222]] activity.  It has been suggested that the Aristarchus halo may be the result of subsurface ice deposits, but this has not been confirmed.
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[[Ground Penetrating Radar]] studies have been made with wavelengths penetrating 10-20 meters via [[Arecibo]] and [[Greenbank]], but deeper and higher resolution scans are likely needed to detect further sub-surface gas pockets.  Radar dark areas in the 70cm band, termed "halos", have been detected around many [[impact crater]]s. An especially large halo has been detected around [[Aristarchus crater]] and encompasses much of the [[Aristarchus plateau]].  [[Aristarchus]] is the major source of recent outgassing events detected via [[radon|Radon 222]] activity.  It has been suggested that the Aristarchus halo may be the result of subsurface ice deposits, but this has not been confirmed.
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==External Links==
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*[http://lunar.ksc.nasa.gov/science/geologys.html NASA Lunar Prospector Project - Lunar Geology]
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*[http://lunar.arc.nasa.gov/results/alres.htm NASA Lunar Prospector Project - Alpha Particle Spectrometer Results]
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*[http://www.astronautix.com/craft/lunector.htm Encyclopedia Astronautica - Lunar Prospector]
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*[http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2007/pdf/2294.pdf Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII (2007) - Probing Lunar Volatiles: Initial Ground-Based Results (PDF file)]
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Prospector Wikipedia: Lunar Prospector]
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transient_lunar_phenomenon#Outgassing Wikipedia: Transient lunar phenomenon - Outgassing]
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*[http://www.cheec.uiowa.edu/misc/radon_occ.pdf University of Iowa: Radon Occurrence and Health Risk]
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*[http://www.atral.com/U2381.html U238 Radioactive Decay]
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*[http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/chain.htm US Environmental Protection Agency - Uranium-238 Decay Chain]
 
[[Category:Selenology]]
 
[[Category:Selenology]]

Revision as of 12:28, 21 February 2007

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Outgassing events in which radon, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide from deep in the lunar interior are vented to the surface may be the result of low level volcanic or tectonic events on the moon, and are hypothesized to be the source of the tenuous lunar atmosphere. Knowing when and where these events occur may help us understand more about lunar tectonics and how the moon's atmosphere was formed.

Carbon and Nitrogen are both vital elements which will have to be imported from earth or from Carbonaceous asteroids. If outgassing events can be predicted it may be possible to utilize this valuable resource.

The Alpha Particle Spectrometer aboard Lunar Prospector was designed to detect these events by tracking the alpha particles emitted during the decay of radon 222 and polonium 226 (two increments in the decay series of U238, directly following Ra226). The APS data was obscured by solar activity during the mission, but may be viewable once the effects of solar activity have been filtered out. This task has not been done.

Ground Penetrating Radar studies have been made with wavelengths penetrating 10-20 meters via Arecibo and Greenbank, but deeper and higher resolution scans are likely needed to detect further sub-surface gas pockets. Radar dark areas in the 70cm band, termed "halos", have been detected around many impact craters. An especially large halo has been detected around Aristarchus crater and encompasses much of the Aristarchus plateau. Aristarchus is the major source of recent outgassing events detected via Radon 222 activity. It has been suggested that the Aristarchus halo may be the result of subsurface ice deposits, but this has not been confirmed.

External Links

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