| Abstract: | When the relative velocity between magnetized plasma and neutral gas exceeds a critical value, the gas-plasma interaction is dominated by collective phenomena which rapidly excite and ionize the neutrals. The interaction of the solar wind with a large cloud (1024 – 1028 neutrals) vented from the moon should be of this type. Line radiation from such an interaction can yield an apparent lunar surface brightness rivaling reflected sunlight levels over small areas, if the kinetic energy flow density of the gas is sufficiently high. The aberrated solar wind flow past the moon would enhance the visibility of such interactions near the lunar sunrise terminator, supporting the statistical studies which indicate that the “Lunar Transient Phenomena” (anomalous optical phenomena on the moon) are significantly correlated with the position of the terminator on the lunar surface. |
