Moon Storms

In 1994, the Clementine Moon-orbiter also saw a dusty glow along the edge of the Moon

Now a new scientific explanation is gaining traction. "It may be that LTPs are caused by sunlight reflecting off rising plumes of electrostatically lofted lunar dust," Olhoeft suggests.

All this matters to NASA because, by 2018 or so, astronauts are returning to the Moon. Unlike Apollo astronauts, who never experienced lunar sunrise, the next explorers are going to establish a permanent outpost. They'll be there in the morning when the storm sweeps by.

The wall of dust, if it exists, might be diaphanous, invisible, harmless. Or it could be a real problem, clogging spacesuits, coating surfaces and causing hardware to overheat.

Which will it be? Says Stubbs, "we've still got a lot to learn about the Moon."

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Video: The Moon [FirstScience presents]
Since its formation 4.5 billion years ago the Moon has been edging away from Earth yet it has influenced our planet in many profound ways.

- on lunar transient phenomena, including an observing manual

- details of LEAM

- how moondust could ruin your health

- science from NASA