11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
[PPS06-05] Meteoroids and Moon Explorations by Lunar Impact Flash
Keywords:Lunar Impact Flash, Meteoroids, Meteorites, Comets, Asteroids
Meteoroids are interplanetary dust with a diameter of micrometers to meters that originate from comets and asteroids. A visible meteor is a luminous phenomenon when a meteoroid, typically diameter of about 1 mm, enters the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of several tens of kilometers per second. On the other hand, when a meteoroid with a diameter of several centimeters to several tens of centimeters impacts the lunar surface, a Lunar Impact Flash (LIF) is produced in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range which can be observed by ground-based telescopes as a magnitude 5 to 11 short duration, 0.01 to 0.1 seconds, flash.
A fireball is a bright meteor caused by a centimeter-sized meteoroid and is a rare phenomenon from a ground station. The LIF observation uses the large lunar surface as a telescope to detect meteoroids larger than centimeters, which is about 100 times more efficient than a single ground-based observation.
In other words, LIF observation is a new tool to investigate the size distribution, collision frequency, and seasonal and temporal variations of meteoroids which can reveal the unknown Earth-Moon impactors ranging between meteors and asteroids.
However, the long-term continuous LIF observation from the ground is difficult due to the limitation of the lunar phase and weather conditions. Thus LIF observation from a Lunar Orbital Platform Gateway or near the Earth-Moon Lagurangeun Point L2 can be strongly proposed. Also, LIF observations can be considered as an environmental monitor for future human activities on the Moon.
Through the lunar impact flash observations, we will be able to (1) clarify the size and mass distribution functions and impact frequency of meteoroids sizing between meteors and asteroids, (2) explore the internal structure of the Moon by collaborating with moonquake measurements, (3) search for water ice under the lunar surface around the polar regions by LIF spectroscopy, (4) conduct natural experiments to understand the physics of celestial impacts, and (5) sample return from near impact craters formed by LIF associated with meteor showers, and so on. It can also be used to evaluate the affected region by impact ejecta and to confirm the impact site by artificial objects in the future.
In this presentation, we propose not only the study of meteoroids through lunar impact flashes, but also their application to Moon exploration.
A fireball is a bright meteor caused by a centimeter-sized meteoroid and is a rare phenomenon from a ground station. The LIF observation uses the large lunar surface as a telescope to detect meteoroids larger than centimeters, which is about 100 times more efficient than a single ground-based observation.
In other words, LIF observation is a new tool to investigate the size distribution, collision frequency, and seasonal and temporal variations of meteoroids which can reveal the unknown Earth-Moon impactors ranging between meteors and asteroids.
However, the long-term continuous LIF observation from the ground is difficult due to the limitation of the lunar phase and weather conditions. Thus LIF observation from a Lunar Orbital Platform Gateway or near the Earth-Moon Lagurangeun Point L2 can be strongly proposed. Also, LIF observations can be considered as an environmental monitor for future human activities on the Moon.
Through the lunar impact flash observations, we will be able to (1) clarify the size and mass distribution functions and impact frequency of meteoroids sizing between meteors and asteroids, (2) explore the internal structure of the Moon by collaborating with moonquake measurements, (3) search for water ice under the lunar surface around the polar regions by LIF spectroscopy, (4) conduct natural experiments to understand the physics of celestial impacts, and (5) sample return from near impact craters formed by LIF associated with meteor showers, and so on. It can also be used to evaluate the affected region by impact ejecta and to confirm the impact site by artificial objects in the future.
In this presentation, we propose not only the study of meteoroids through lunar impact flashes, but also their application to Moon exploration.