The moon’s thin atmosphere, called an exosphere, has been a puzzle to science for some time. Two main processes were thought to create this wispy gas envelope; tiny meteoroids hitting the surface and solar wind particles bombarding the lunar soil. But new research using Apollo moon samples reveals that the moon’s own surface features provide surprising protection against solar wind erosion.



Summary

Contrary to previous beliefs, the moon’s exosphere isn’t solely created by meteoroid impacts and solar wind. New research analyzing Apollo samples shows that lunar surface features offer protection against the direct erosive effects of the solar wind. This suggests a more complex interplay than previously understood, where surface topography plays a key role in shaping the moon’s tenuous atmosphere. The moon’s own landscape helps mitigate the influence of solar particles, adding a new layer of understanding to how this exosphere is formed and maintained.

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