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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface
Published on: July 30, 2020
A galactic cosmic ray cavity in Earth-Moon space
Wensai Shang1,2, Ji Liu3, Zigong Xu4,5
1Shandong Key Laboratory of Space Environment and Exploration Technology, School of Space Science and Technology, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China.
Abstract:
In regions of the Solar System distant from planetary magnetic fields, galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) have generally been assumed to be uniformly distributed over the Earth-Moon distance. However, our analysis of data from the LND (Lunar Lander Neutron and Dosimetry) experiment onboard the Chang'E-4 lander revealed a region of reduced GCR flux in the prenoon sector of the lunar orbit. Further investigation suggests the presence of an energetic particle cavity, formed by Earth's magnetic field acting as an obstacle to GCR propagation. This cavity indicates that the influence of Earth's magnetic field within the space environment extends unexpectedly up to and far beyond the lunar orbit. This finding offers the potential to avoid high radiation levels during future lunar exploration and deep-space missions.
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