India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission has revealed the Earth’s geomagnetic tail has a significant impact on the Moon’s ionosphere, challenging prior assumptions about plasma behaviour in the lunar environment. The findings were reported by Trinity Mirror, a partner of TV BRICS.
The mission uncovered unexpectedly high electron densities in the Moon’s ionosphere when it passes through the Earth’s geomagnetic tail. The study suggests that lunar crustal magnetic fields may play a greater role in shaping plasma dynamics than previously understood.
Researchers used an innovative two-way radio occultation experiment, analysing S-band telemetry and telecommand signals transmitted by the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. The signals revealed electron densities reaching approximately 23,000 electrons per cubic centimetre, nearly 100 times higher than those observed on the Moon’s sunlit side.
The new findings suggest remnant lunar crustal magnetic fields could be trapping plasma, preventing its dissipation, and leading to localised electron density enhancements.
These insights are crucial for future robotic and crewed missions to the Moon, as high plasma densities can affect radio communications, surface charging, and lunar dust interactions.
