![]() ![]() Since the particles in the exosphere have their origin at the surface of the Moon or Mercury, we speak of a surface bound exosphere. These external agents are responsible for the formation of a neutral gas exosphere, and the escape of a fraction of particles from this exosphere into space. 1 apply to the many planetary objects of our solar system that are not protected against these external agents by a sufficient atmosphere. Actually, the processes illustrated in Fig. These alterations of planetary surfaces are referred to as space weathering in the literature.įigure 1 shows an overview of the processes acting on the surface of the Moon or Mercury. ![]() Direct exposure to these exogenic sources has important consequences for the formation and evolution of planetary surfaces, including altering the chemical makeup of the surface material, formation of the regolith, and significantly modifying optical properties of the surface. Thus, their surfaces are directly exposed to the ambient plasma (ions and electrons), to energetic particles, to photons mostly from the Sun ranging from the infrared range all the way to X-rays, and to meteoroid fluxes. The Moon and Mercury are planetary bodies without a substantial atmosphere, there is only a thin collisionless atmosphere, which is called exosphere.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |