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Whistler Wings and Reflected Particles during Solar Wind Interaction of Lunar Magnetic Anomalies
  • +8
  • Hui Zhang,
  • Yong Wei,
  • Jun Zhong,
  • Tianxin Zhang,
  • Libo Liu,
  • Binbin Ni,
  • J. B. Cao,
  • Song Fu,
  • Yiding Chen,
  • Suiyan Fu,
  • Weixing Wan
Hui Zhang
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Yong Wei
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Jun Zhong
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Tianxin Zhang
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Libo Liu
Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Binbin Ni
Wuhan University
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J. B. Cao
School of Space and Environment ,Beihang University ,Beijing,China.
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Song Fu
Wuhan University
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Yiding Chen
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Suiyan Fu
School of Earth and Space Sciences
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Weixing Wan
Institute of Geology and Geophysics,Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Abstract

The planetary magnetic fields in the solar system deflect/reflect solar wind at bow shocks in front of their magnetospheres, protecting the planets from direct solar wind bombardment. Indirect evidences suggest that the sporadic magnetic anomalies on the Moon, i.e., the small-scale magnetic fields, do the same, protecting the lunar surface below and even modifying the chemical/optical properties there. It is, however, still unclear how these anomalies interact with solar wind because of lack of in-situ observations. Two key remotely-sensed symptoms, i.e., the lunar reflected ions and the associated ~1Hz waves, are organized in a particular coordinate system here to diagnose the solar wind interaction. We show that particles are reflected around the specular direction above the lunar surface, hinting an electric-field effect in the reflection, and that whistler wings form, suggesting a distinct solar wind interaction scenario to that of a giant planetary field.
28 Apr 2021Published in Geophysical Research Letters volume 48 issue 8. 10.1029/2021GL092425