Scientists pin down the origins of the moon's tenuous atmosphere
Boston MA (SPX) Aug 05, 2024
While the moon lacks any breathable air, it does host a barely-there atmosphere. Since the 1980s, astronomers have observed a very thin layer of atoms bouncing over the moon's surface. This delicate atmosphere - technically known as an "exosphere" - is likely a product of some kind of space weathering. But exactly what those processes might be has been difficult to pin down with any certainty.
While the moon lacks any breathable air, it does host a barely-there atmosphere. Since the 1980s, astronomers have observed a very thin layer of atoms bouncing over the moon's surface. This delicate atmosphere - technically known as an "exosphere" - is likely a product of some kind of space weathering. But exactly what those processes might be has been difficult to pin down with any certainty.