It is pointed out that the tenuous nature of the lunar atmosphere is maintained by rapid loss of gases released at the lunar surface. The loss of gases from the lunar atmosphere in the case of a greatly increased atmospheric density is investigated. It is found that in the case of such an increase in the density of the lunar atmosphere, a point can be reached where loss occurs so slowly that it is negligible over human time scales. In the event an artificial lunar atmosphere were to be created, gases can be obtained by heating or vaporization of the lunar soil. This could be done with the aid of nuclear devices.


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    Title :

    Creation of an artificial lunar atmosphere


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Nature ; 248


    Publication date :

    1974-04-19


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :


    Lunar atmosphere

    Johnson, F. S. | NTRS | 1971


    Lunar atmosphere

    Johnson, F. S. | NTRS | 1971


    THE LUNAR ATMOSPHERE

    Opik, E. J. | NTRS | 1962


    Lunar atmosphere measurements.

    Johnson, F. S. / Carroll, J. M. / Evans, D. E. | NTRS | 1972


    The Lunar Atmosphere

    W. C. Lucas / O. H. Vaughan | NTIS | 1966