Intense localized photoelectric charging in the lunar sunset terminator region. I - Development of potentials and fields. II - Supercharging at the progression of sunset
Numerical computations show that locally sunlit areas in the dark lunar sunset terminator region can acquire large electric potentials and fields due to the retention of photoelectrons emitted from sunlit areas by surrounding dark areas of the highly resistive lunar surface. It is shown that the potential can increase or decrease depending on the rates of photoelectron emission and areal contraction. It is concluded that in the lunar situation, the likely result is an increase in the potential, or a 'supercharging' of the sunlit area.