Energetic Neutral Atom Distribution on the Lunar Surface and Its Relationship with Solar Wind Conditions

Abstract

Abstract The Advanced Small Analyzer for Neutrals (ASAN) on board the Chang’E-4 Yutu-2 rover first detected energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) originating from the lunar surface at various lunar local times on the lunar farside. In this work, we examine the ENA energy spectra, obtained in the first 23 lunar days from 2019 January 11 to 2020 October 12, and find a higher ENA differential flux on the lunar dawnside than on the duskside. Combined with Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon’s Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) data, we analyze the correlation between the ENA differential flux and solar wind parameters, such as flux, density, dynamic pressure, and velocity, for each ASAN energy channel on the dawnside and duskside. The results show that ENA differential flux is positively correlated with solar wind flux, density, and dynamic pressure and relatively lower on the duskside than on the dawnside. To determine the relationship between solar wind energy and ENA energy, we analyze the correlation between solar wind energy and ENA cutoff energy and temperature on the dawnside and duskside. The results show that the ENA cutoff energy and temperature are lower on the duskside than on the dawnside at the same solar wind energy. The difference between the ENA–solar wind observation on the dawnside and duskside is possibly caused by solar wind deflection and deceleration on the duskside, which can be attributed to the interaction between solar wind and the lunar magnetic anomalies located nearby in the northwestern direction of the Chang’E-4 landing site.