An Experimental Investigation of Charging Methods on the Lunar Surface

Abstract

The surface of the moon may be regarded as a charged environment producing dust particle transport as evidenced by the “Lunar Horizon Glow” observed by the Apollo astronauts. It has been theorized that charged dust lofting is responsible for this phenomenon with one possible charging mechanism being photoelectron emission. However, additional charging mechanisms also exist when human activity is introduced into the environment. As such, a proper understanding of charged dust dynamics is essential for extended human habitation on the moon. This poster will present a preliminary study performed in a GEC reference cell investigating various lunar dust charging mechanisms.