Year of Publication
2019
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/School/Program
Earth and Environmental Sciences (Geology)
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Dhananjay Ravat
Abstract
Lunar swirls are complex patterns on the Moon with distinct brightness signatures and magnetic characteristics. Current research has suggested that the formation of lunar swirls relies on local magnetic fields to shield impinging solar wind, based on a shift in electromagnetic wavelength peaks related to solar radiation and space weathering. Our research combined recent models and methods to characterize these anomalies at the surface of the Moon, exploring the effects of field strength and position. We have produced a high resolution map of a famous swirl named Reiner Gamma using magnetic dipole modeling. These maps and models are considered when examining lunar landing locations and potential colony locations on the Moon.
Recommended Citation
Waller, Dany, "The Undeniable Attraction of Lunar Swirls" (2019). Posters-at-the-Capitol Presentations. 11.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/capitol_present/11
Included in
Geophysics and Seismology Commons, Physical Processes Commons, Plasma and Beam Physics Commons, The Sun and the Solar System Commons
Notes
This research was funded in part by NASA grants NNX16AN51G and NNX16AN51G.