Minimagnetospheres above the lunar surface and the formation of lunar swirls

R. A. Bamford; B. Kellett; W. J. Bradford; C. Norberg; A. Thornton; K. J. Gibson; I. A. Crawford; L. Silva; L. Gargate; R. Bingham

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.081101

Minimagnetospheres above the lunar surface and the formation of lunar swirls

R. A. Bamford, B. Kellett, W. J. Bradford, C. Norberg, A. Thornton, K. J. Gibson, I. A. Crawford, L. Silva, L. Gargate, R. Bingham

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48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper we present in situ satellite data, theory, and laboratory validation that show how small-scale collisionless shocks and minimagnetospheres can form on the electron inertial scale length. The resulting retardation and deflection of the solar wind ions could be responsible for the unusual "lunar swirl'' patterns seen on the surface of the Moon.

Original language	English
Article number	081101
Number of pages	5
Journal	Physical Review Letters
Volume	109
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.081101
Publication status	Published - 20 Aug 2012

Keywords

lunar surface
lunar swirls
minimagnetospheres

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10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.081101

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AU - Norberg, C.

AU - Thornton, A.

AU - Gibson, K. J.

AU - Crawford, I. A.

AU - Silva, L.

AU - Gargate, L.

AU - Bingham, R.

PY - 2012/8/20

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AB - In this paper we present in situ satellite data, theory, and laboratory validation that show how small-scale collisionless shocks and minimagnetospheres can form on the electron inertial scale length. The resulting retardation and deflection of the solar wind ions could be responsible for the unusual "lunar swirl'' patterns seen on the surface of the Moon.

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Minimagnetospheres above the lunar surface and the formation of lunar swirls

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Keywords

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