Mini Magnetospheres above the Lunar Surface and the Formation of Lunar Swirls
R.A. Bamford, B. Kellett, J.Bradford, T.N. Todd, M. G. Benton, Sr., R.Stafford-Allen, E.P. Alves, L. Silva, C. Collingwood, I.A. Crawford, R.Bingham
FIG. 1. The Reiner Gamma formation (7.4"N, 300.9"E) is an example of a lunar swirl. Pictured here on the left-hand side of the image. Reiner Gamma is named after the Reiner impact crater shown for comparison on the right. The crater is 117 km to the east and has diameter of 30 km with a depth of 2.6 km. By contrast, the unusual diffuse swirling of the formation and concentric oval shape has fluidlike wisps that extend further to the east and west. Its distinctive lighter color stands out against the flat, dark surface of Oceanus Procellarum. Unlike crater ejecta, the shape of the formation appears unrelated to any topographic structures that would account for its presence. Image courtesy of NASA.
In this paper we present in situ satellite data, theory, and laboratory validation that show how small-scale collision-less shocks and mini magnetospheres can form on the electron inertial scale length. The resulting retardation and deflection of the solar wind ions could be responsible for the unusual ‘‘lunar swirl’’ patterns seen on the surface of the Moon.
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