In:
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 55, No. 4 ( 2003-08-25), p. 859-870
Kurzfassung:
The presence of volatiles near the lunar poles is considered. The chemical composition of a lunar atmosphere temporarily produced by comet impact is analyzed during the day and night. C-rich and long-period comets are insufficient sources of water ice on the Moon. O-rich short-period comets deliver significant amounts of $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$, $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$, $\mathrm{SO}_{2}$, and S to the Moon. An observable amount of polar hydrogen can be delivered to the Moon by a single impact of an O-rich short-period comet with diameter of 5 km in the form of water ice. The areas where $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ and $\mathrm{SO}_{2}$ ices are stable against a thermal sublimation are estimated to be 300 and $1500 \,\mathrm{km}^{2}$, respectively. If water ice exists in the 2 cm top regolith layer, $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ and $\mathrm{SO}_{2}$ ices can be stable in the coldest parts of permanently shaded craters. The delivery rate of elemental sulfur near the poles is estimated to be $10^{6} \,\mathrm{g} \,\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. The sulfur content is estimated to be as high as 1 wt% in the polar regions. The SELENE gamma-ray spectrometer can detect sulfur polar caps on the Moon if the sulfur content is higher than 1 wt%. This instrument can check the presence of hydrogen and minerals with the unusual chemical composition at the lunar poles.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
2053-051X
,
0004-6264
DOI:
10.1093/pasj/55.4.859
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publikationsdatum:
2003
ZDB Id:
2206640-8
ZDB Id:
2083084-1
SSG:
16,12
