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 fluencies 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 104–106 yr. These results suggest irradiation by heavy ions may be a very efficient weathering process in near-Earth space.
Spectral Alteration of Meteorite Epinal Induced by Ion Irradiation: a Simulation of Space Weathering Effects on Near Earth Asteroids
BRUNETTO, ROSARIO;BLANCO, Armando;OROFINO, Vincenzo
2005-01-01
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 fluencies 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 104–106 yr. These results suggest irradiation by heavy ions may be a very efficient weathering process in near-Earth space.File in questo prodotto:
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