Goddard Space Flight Center
Dynamic Response of the Environment At the Moon

Dynamic Response of the Environment At the Moon

Two Columns


Goddard's DREAM Center for Lunar Studies



DREAM is a virtual institute incorporating over 20 Investigators from over 10 Academic and Government Centers. DREAM IS:

lunar

Observations of lunar sodium atmosphere


  • A theory, modeling, data validation effort of the solar-lunar environment connection
  • Answering "how does the highly-variable solar energy and matter incident at the surface interface affect the dynamics of lunar volatiles, ionosphere, plasma, and dust?"
  • Emphasizing the dynamics-solar storms and impacts at the Moon
  • A modeling center that maintains, advances and integrates state-of-the-art neutral, plasma, and surface interaction models
  • Sponsored by NASA's Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) Headquarted out of Ames Research Center
    Moffett Field CA, 94035

    • DREAM NEWS

    DREAM scientists find a solar wind/sodium exosphere connection       Nov 19, 2009

    A recent study by Sarantos et al. [2009] shows that solar wind ions create an enhancement in volatile sodium atom release from the lunar surface. The study includes results from a large set of ground based telescopic sodium exosphere observations and compares the observed sodium normalized intensity to the prevailing UV and solar wind environment during the time of the observation.
    Read More....


    LCROSS Impact Data Indicates Water on Moon       Nov 13, 2009
    lunar








    The visible camera image showing the ejecta plume at about 20 seconds after impact.

    Credit: NASA

    The argument that the moon is a dry, desolate place no longer holds water.

    Secrets the moon has been holding, for perhaps billions of years, are now being revealed to the delight of scientists and space enthusiasts alike.

    NASA today opened a new chapter in our understanding of the moon. Preliminary data from the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, indicates that the mission successfully uncovered water during the Oct. 9, 2009 impacts into the permanently shadowed region of Cabeus cater near the moon's south pole.

    The impact created by the LCROSS Centaur upper stage rocket created a two-part plume of material from the bottom of the crater. The first part was a high angle plume of vapor and fine dust and the second a lower angle ejecta curtain of heavier material. This material has not seen sunlight in billions of years.
    For More Information....


    DREAM Co-investigators support the recent LCROSS dual-impacts       Oct. 16, 2009

    LCROSS Project Scientist Tony Colaprete (a DREAM investigator) led his mission team to a successful dual impact at Cabeus crater on October 9 2009 in the search for lunar water in the permanently shadowed region. DREAM team members were involved in the event in numerous other supporting roles that included the following:
    Read More....


    Workshop On Lunar Dust, Plasma and Atmosphere: The Next Steps       Oct. 14, 2009

    The first workshop on "Lunar dust, plasma and atmosphere: The next steps" will be held January 27 - 29, 2010 at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA.
    Read More....


    NASA Spacecraft Impacts Lunar Crater in Search for Water Ice      Oct. 9, 2009

    MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, created twin impacts on the moon's surface early Friday in a search for water ice. Scientists will analyze data from the spacecraft's instruments to assess whether water ice is present.
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    Postdoctoral Position at GSFC to support the DREAM LSI team      Sept. 18, 2009

    The Solar System Exploration Division at NASA's Robert H. Goddard Space Flight Center is seeking applications for 1-2 postdoctoral appointments through the NASA Postdoctoral Program to support the newly-formed Lunar Science Institute DREAM group at GSFC.
    Read More....