Origin and Dynamics of the Lunar Exosphere
Wing-Huen Ip (Institute of Astronomy/ Department of Space Science and Engineering, National Central University)
Description:
Without a thick atmosphere and geological activities the Moon is the best place to study the evolutionary history of the solar system. Indeed, the top surface regolith layer of fine dust is the result of continuous radiation by age solar photons, solar wind plasma and solar and galactic cosmic rays, and micro-meteroid impacts since the formation of the Moon. The samples of lunar dust collected by astronauts and space vehicles provide a wealth of information on the cumulative effects of these processes. By the same token, the thin exosphere and dust halo of the Moon detected by scientific experi-ments of lunar missions are also related to these physical processes from which we can use experimental data and theoretical models to unlock the early histories of the sun and the solar system. This knowledge is also essen-tial to future human exploration of the Moon. In this project, we will learn to simulate the formation and time evolution of the lunar exosphere during coronal mass ejection events composed of dense solar wind plasma.
Required Background:
Unix/Linux experience, Programming Languages such as Python Scripting, Fortran 90, or C/C++.
Fundamental knowledge of physics, in particular Newtonian mechanics and electromagnetism.