| Abstract |
The Moon has nether dense atmosphere nor intrinsic magnetic field, and its surface directly interacts with solar wind plasma and near-surface photoelectrons. One of important consequences of such interactions is the charging of its surface. Because a lunar surface provides boundaries for plasma particles, the potential structure strongly depends on surface topography of the Moon. As one example of interesting landscapes, we have numerically modeled the electrostatic environment around “lunar vertical holes”, recently discovered by the Kaguya satellite and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. We present particle-in-cell simulation results on surface charging and plasma dynamics near the hole, and show that such a hole produces electrically unique environment. We also discuss the effects of the environment on the dynamics of the charged dust grains. |
