EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Hunten et al. 1991
Hunten, D.M., Kozlowski, R.W.H. and Sprague, A.L. (1991). A possible meteor shower on the Moon. Geophysical Research Letters 18: doi: 10.1029/91GL02543. issn: 0094-8276.

Over the 3-day period from 12 to 14 October, 1990, the sodium abundance in the lunar atmosphere at 80¿ South increased by 60%, while interspersed measurements at the equator showed no substantial change. The source is suggested to be an unknown meteor shower with a radiant near the south ecliptic pole. A low relative velocity of ~20 km/sec, combined with a small particle masses, would keep the shower below the detectability threshold of radar. The stream could evolve from a reasonable asteroidal or cometary orbit with perihelion somewhat greater than 1 astronomical unit (AU) and a major axis of a few AU. The short residence time of lunar sodium makes it more favorable than the terestrial sodium layer for detection of such an event. ¿American Geophysical Union 1991

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Planetology, Solid Surface Planets and Satellites, Atmospheric composition and chemistry, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets and Satellites, Surfaces, Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Dust
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit