Solar Storms Could Sandblast the Moon
Reference- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111207000851.htm
Summary- Solar storms and associated Coronal Mass Ejections can significantly erode the lunar surface according to a new set of computer simulations by NASA scientists. In addition to removing a surprisingly large amount of material from the lunar surface. This could be a major method of atmospheric loss for planets like Mars that are unprotected by a global magnetic field. CME’s are basically an intense gust of the normal solar wind. A diffuse stream of electrically conductive gas that’s blown outward from the surface of the sun into space. A strong CME may contain around billion tons of plasma moving up to million miles per hour in a cloud many times the size of Earth. The moon has just the barest wisp of an atmosphere, technically called an exosphere. CMEs are effective at removing lunar material not only because they are denser and faster than the normal solar wind.
Critique- I think it is amazing how a strong CME may contain around billion tons of plasma moving up to million miles per hour in a cloud many times the size of Earth. That is very big if you think about it.
Impact- This will affect the moon from the CME. If it is a strong CME that would have more effect.
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