The Memorial University of Newfoundland
From Surface Atoms to Exospheres: Theoretical Multidimensional Modelling of Surface Processes on the Moon and Mercury and Their Effects on Predicted Exospheres — This proposal aims to better explain and quantify the effect of solar wind on the exosphere of Mercury and the Moon. This work will improve model predictions for key elemental species in the exospheres of the Moon and Mercury. This will be accomplished using a multiscale combined theoretical approach employing atomistic modelling along with global exosphere modelling. The project will use atomistic modelling to quantify first of their kind mineral specific surface energies. Results will then be verified and improved through comparison with experimental sputtering data. Findings from atomistic modelling will then be linked to global models to quantify the effect on the predicted global exosphere.