THE MOON'S THIN ATMOSPHERE IS MADE BY CONSTANT METEORITE BOMBARDMENT
All About Space UK|Issue 160
While the solar wind also contributes to the atmosphere, meteorites are the main culprit
Robert Lea
THE MOON'S THIN ATMOSPHERE IS MADE BY CONSTANT METEORITE BOMBARDMENT

It's easy to imagine the Moon as an atmosphereless hunk of rock orbiting Earth. However, while lacking breathable air, our planet's loyal natural satellite companion does have a thin ✓ and wispy atmosphere. Scientists have long puzzled over the existence of this tenuous atmosphere, or 'exosphere, and have searched for the main process that sustains it, but new research indicates that this tenuous lunar atmosphere owes its existence to renewal and replenishment caused by the violent bombardment of space rocks upon the Moon.

This story is from the Issue 160 edition of All About Space UK.

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This story is from the Issue 160 edition of All About Space UK.

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