Interactions of the Airless Non-magnetized Moons with the Environment

Abstract:

Airless non-magnetized moons absorb plasma impinging the surface. The absorption forms a plasma void which size and morphology are controlled by the ambient magnetic field and plasma parameters. We consider and compare the following cases: the large and small scale objects interaction with a supersonic plasma flow (Moon – solar wind, Phobos – solar wind), the large scale object interaction with a subsonic magntospheric plasma of the gas giants (Callisto – magnetosphere, Rhea – magnetosphere). Although for understanding the main features of the global interaction picture the assumption on the full absorption is sufficient, in reality the plasma – surface interaction is by far more complex. The plasma particles are backscattered, result in sputtering, and surface weathering. We also briefly review these processes to demonstrate the complexity of this, seemingly simple, class of the interactions with the environment.