Abstract
In this paper, we report on our study of the trajectories of solar wind electrons reflected by lunar electric and magnetic fields through analysis of reflectivity and distribution under different conditions. Our calculations and simulations showed that the variations of both the magnetic field and surface potential play important roles in changing the directions of the traces of electrons. Furthermore, we were able to distinguish the changes resulting from these two variations through further analysis of the results. Thus, both the magnitude of the crustal field and the surface potential can be acquired from the data of satellites such as the Lunar Prospector. These findings could also contribute to the design and development of new devices in future lunar programs.
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Feng, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhao, H. et al. Solar wind electrons reflected by lunar electric and magnetic fields. Sci. China Earth Sci. 54, 1796–1800 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4211-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4211-4