New upper limits on numerous atmospheric species in the native lunar atmosphere

We report on our analysis of twilight observations of the lunar atmosphere as observed by the LAMP instrument aboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Using data collected between September 2009 and March 2013, we have examined over 7.7 million s of integration time obtained when the surface was in darkness, but the atmosphere between the spacecraft and the surface was in sunlight. Using these data, we have calculated upper limits for 27 species, primarily neutral atomic and molecular species, but also a few atomic ions. All of these species have either been predicted previously or were observed by LAMP after the LCROSS impact. Our upper limits are more constraining than previous upper limits by significant factors, providing new constraints on numerous species. Puzzlingly, we did not detect the previously detected noble gas species Ne and Ar, a subject we briefly touch on here and plan a full paper about.