Evidence for a high altitude distribution of lunar dust

Abstract

This paper will present evidence from Apollo lunar orbital observations, indicating the existence of solar light scattering from a significant population of lunar particulates extending to altitudes in excess of 100 km. This evidence comes from crew observations of the solar corona/zodiacal light (CZL) glow as it appeared above the lunar horizon while the Apollo vehicle approached orbital "sunrise." "Streamers" observed to be a part of this glow were seen to exhibit a time development in visual brightness inconsistent with an exclusively CZL source.