Generating of an electric potential on the Moon by Cosmic rays and Solar Wind?

TL;DR

This study explores the potential for the Moon to develop an electric charge due to cosmic rays and solar wind, calculating possible potentials under various conditions and discussing implications for cosmic charge neutrality.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the Moon's electric potential caused by cosmic particles using experimental data and theoretical models, highlighting potential charge imbalances in space.

Findings

Calculated Moon potentials range from 1789 V to 261 MV depending on conditions.

Unequal charge distribution suggests a charge imbalance in the cosmos.

Implications for cosmic charge neutrality and the existence of low-energy negative fluxes.

Abstract

We investigate the possibility that the Moon develops an electric potential originating from the impinging particles on the Moon from cosmic rays and solar wind. The investigation includes all experimental data of the flux of charged particle for energies higher than 865 eV available from Apollo missions, satellites and balloon experiments in publications or from the Internet in 2008. A fictive electric potential of the Moon was calculated if the Moon material is an isolator for the Moon solar side and lee side,if the Moon material is a conductor for the whole Moon surface, and if the Moon is located in the geomagnetic tail of the Earth. The calculation for these four cases results in positive electric potentials of the Moon of 1789 V, 261 MV, 1789 V, and 96 MV. This is originated from the unequal distribution of positive and negative charges in the plasma of the cosmic rays and solar wind impinging on the Moon. As the cosmic rays arrive from deep space, these findings would imply a charge imbalance in the cosmos. This is in distinct conflict with a charge neutral universe. We suggest searching for a so far not measured low energy negative flux of charged particles in the cosmos or an interaction between charged objects in the universe with the vacuum.