UWFDM-1109 Dynamics of the Earth-Moon-Sun System and How It Impacts the Solar Wind Implanted Hydrogen Distribution on the Moon

Recent neutron spectrometer measurements by the Lunar Prospector Mission indicate the presence of unexpectedly high concentrations of hydrogen, possibly due to water ice, at the polar regions of the Moon. The objective of the conducted research was to analyze the solarwind-implanted hydrogen on the Moon in order to interpret the Lunar Prospector results. Previous researchers had created a helium distribution map by utilizing the simple assumptions of purely radial flow of the solar wind, an untilted Moon, and shielding of the Moon by the Earth’s magnetosphere during 25% of the lunar orbit. The present research refines that analysis to include the small tilt of the lunar axis to the ecliptic plane and arbitrary magnetospheric shielding. It also formulates the problem to include arbitrary x, y, and z components of the solar wind velocity, although the resulting equations are not solved