Explore the Moon
Lunar Atmosphere
Early Measurements
The Moon has an atmosphere, but it is very tenuous. Gases in the lunar atmosphere are easily lost to space. Because of the Moon’s low gravity, light atoms such as helium receive enough energy from solar heating so that they escape in just a few hours. Heavier atoms take longer to escape, but are ultimately ionized by the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation, after which they are carried away from the Moon by the solar wind. This process takes a few months. Because of the rate at which atoms escape from the lunar atmosphere, there must be a continuous source of particles to maintain even a tenuous atmosphere. Sources for the lunar atmosphere include capture of particles from the solar wind and of material released from the impact of comets and meteorites. For some atoms, particularly helium-4 and argon-40, outgassing from the Moon’s interior may also be a source.
The Lunar Atmospheric Composition Experiment was deployed on Apollo 17. It was a mass spectrometer that measured the composition of the lunar atmosphere. On earlier missions, only the total abundance of the lunar atmosphere was measured by the Cold Cathode Gauge. The three primary gases in the lunar atmosphere are neon, helium, and hydrogen, in roughly equal amounts. Small amounts of methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and water were also detected. In addition, argon-40 was detected, and its abundance increased at times of high seismic activity. Argon-40 is produced by the radioactive decay of potassium-40 in the lunar interior, and the seismic activity may have allowed escape of argon from the interior to the surface along newly created fractures.
Composition of Lunar Atmosphere
Our modern understanding of the Moon’s atmosphere draws on results from both ground-based spectroscopic studies and in situ measurements from Apollo, Lunar Prospector and other space missions. Each type of experiment has its own limitations and abilities, and together they work to fill in a complete picture. From the ground, scientists have been able to measure sodium (Na) and potassium (K), while Lunar Prospector data illustrates the presence of radon-222 and polonium-210. Work by Apollo astronauts and instruments also points out Argon-40, helium-4, oxygen and/or methane (CH4), nitrogen gas (N2) and/or carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2).
None of these atoms or molecules are present in large numbers, and during the day we measure the follow abundances (atoms per cubic centimeter):
Argon: 40,000
Helium: 2,000-40,000
Sodium: 70
Potassium: 17
Hydrogen: less than 17
Together, this is only about 80,000 total atoms per cubic centimeter. For comparison, Mercury’s atmosphere has a much lower 4,500 atoms per cubic centimeter! That said, the Moon’s diffuse atmosphere is still as empty as many laboratory “vacuums” here on Earth.
As we move into a new era of lunar exploration, the LADEE instrument on LRO will be adding new details to our atmospheric understanding.
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