Key Questions of Earth Wind–Moon Interaction

Abstract

The Moon is exposed to a variety of complex space environments during its 29.5-d orbiting around Earth, of which one-quarter in Earth’s magnetosphere. The collection of particles in Earth’s magnetosphere is called Earth wind, which consists of the solar wind particles entering into the magnetosphere and the ions upflowing from the ionosphere and the upper atmosphere into the magnetosphere. The interaction between Earth wind and the Moon provides insights into understanding the evolution of the whole Earth–Moon system and other planet–moon systems such as Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and their satellites. The key scientific questions on the Earth wind and the Moon are reviewed and summarized. Finally, the several unaddressed issues and the possible resolution in the Earth wind–Moon interactions are discussed.