These ions are created when charged particles from the Sun pelt the lunar surface, causing particles there to react and become negatively charged. Here on Earth, the planet's magnetic field stops these particles from ever reaching the surface.

But since the Moon doesn't have a magnetic field, its surface is extremely vulnerable to these charged particles. Unlike positively charged particles, however, they never make it back into orbit, forcing scientists to study them on the surface instead.

[–] machinin@lemmy.world 14 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, I get that, but why negative ions? Their research seems important, I just don't understand the significant of the ions.

[–] Daxtron2@startrek.website 9 points 5 months ago

Important to know if we ever want a moonbase. Its always been known that ionizing radiation would be an issue without an atmosphere, but this is more solid evidence that they are present on the surface. They also can do cool stuff at the atomic level to form ionic bonds and create thing naturally that we just wouldn't find here on earth.

[–] ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago

Negative ions help with depression and if you’re stuck on the dark side of the moon, you’ll probably be depressed. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598548/

The next step is to send humans to lick them and see if they taste good. Licking the lunar surface could reveal flavors never experienced by man or beast.