Date: Monday 09-May-2022
Time: 11:15-12:15
Location: ATL 1250
Speaker: Jacob Kloos (UMD)
Title: The Lunar Polar Regions: Illumination Environment & Exospheric Volatile Delivery
Abstract: Due to the low obliquity of Earth’s moon, its polar regions host a unique illumination and thermal environment: some low elevation regions of the surface are perpetually shielded from the Sun and are among the coldest locations in the solar system, while some topographic peaks receive sunlight for up to 90% of the lunar year. Areas devoid of sunlight, referred to as permanently shadowed regions (PSRs), have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their potential to harbor significant quantities of volatiles. Indeed, a number of orbital observations have indicated the presence of surface and subsurface water ice as well as other volatiles, yet questions remain as to their age, stability, abundance and distribution. This talk will provide a brief overview of our understanding of lunar polar volatiles, and will focus specifically on (1) the illumination environment within and around areas of permanent shadow, and (2) the exospheric transport of volatiles to the polar regions and depositional trends within PSRs.
For further information contact PALS coordinator Quanzhi Ye at qye@umd.edu.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
