Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10702249 | Icarus | 2005 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
We present results obtained for Epinal (H5), an ordinary chondrite meteorite, irradiated with 60 keV Ar++ ions, simulating solar wind heavy particle irradiation. Bidirectional reflectance spectra (0.3-2.67 μm) measured after irradiating Epinal samples with different ion fluences exhibit a progressive reddening that is similar to the spread of spectra observed for S-type near-Earth asteroids. The timescales for inducing the same effects in space as those obtained in laboratory are estimated to be 104-106yr. These results suggest irradiation by heavy ions may be a very efficient weathering process in near-Earth space.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Space and Planetary Science
Authors
G. Strazzulla, E. Dotto, R. Binzel, R. Brunetto, M.A. Barucci, A. Blanco, V. Orofino,