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 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.
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Outgassing events in which [[Volatiles|volatiles]] are vented from deep in the lunar interior to the surface, specifically,  [[radon]], [[nitrogen]], [[carbon monoxide]], and [[carbon dioxide]], may be the result of low level [[lunar volcanism|volcanic]] or [[lunar tectonics|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.
  
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[[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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[[Carbon]] and [[Nitrogen]] are both vital elements which will have to be imported from earth or from [[carbonaceous asteroid|carbonaceous asteroids]].  If outgassing events can be predicted it may be possible to [[ISRU|utilize]] this valuable resource.
  
 
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 immediately preceded by [[radium|Ra226]] in the decay series of [[uranium|U238]]).  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.
 
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 immediately preceded by [[radium|Ra226]] in the decay series of [[uranium|U238]]).  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 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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[[ground penetrating radar|Ground Penetrating Radar]] studies have been made with wavelengths penetrating 10-20 meters via the [http://www.naic.edu/ Arecibo] and [http://www.gb.nrao.edu/ Green Bank] radio observatories, 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. Aristarchus is known to be an active outgassing site<ref>[http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070730_gassy_moon.html Lunar Flash Mystery Solved: Moon Just Passing Gas] By David Powell posted: 30 July 2007</ref>.
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Many observers have reported witnessing so called "[[Transient lunar phenomena]]" including many amateur Astronomers.  The crew of Apollo 11 reported observing a TLP at the crater Aristarchus.
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Although the Moon is relatively inert geologically, the [[lunar atmosphere]] continues to be replenished by lunar outgassing events.
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==References==
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<references/>
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
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*[http://www.atral.com/U2381.html U238 Radioactive Decay]
 
*[http://www.atral.com/U2381.html U238 Radioactive Decay]
 
*[http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/chain.htm US Environmental Protection Agency - Uranium-238 Decay Chain]
 
*[http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/chain.htm US Environmental Protection Agency - Uranium-238 Decay Chain]
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[[Category:Mining]]
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[[Category:Chemistry]]
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[[Category:Settlement]]
 
[[Category:Selenology]]
 
[[Category:Selenology]]

Latest revision as of 18:24, 16 December 2008

This article is a Selenological stub. You can help Lunarpedia by expanding it.



Outgassing events in which volatiles are vented from deep in the lunar interior to the surface, specifically, radon, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, 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 immediately preceded by Ra226 in the decay series of U238). 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 the Arecibo and Green Bank radio observatories, 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. Aristarchus is known to be an active outgassing site[1].

Many observers have reported witnessing so called "Transient lunar phenomena" including many amateur Astronomers. The crew of Apollo 11 reported observing a TLP at the crater Aristarchus.

Although the Moon is relatively inert geologically, the lunar atmosphere continues to be replenished by lunar outgassing events.

References

  1. ↑ Lunar Flash Mystery Solved: Moon Just Passing Gas By David Powell posted: 30 July 2007

External Links

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