Seismic Modification of Asteroid Surfaces: Laboratory Simulations

Details Seismic Modification of Asteroid Surfaces: Laboratory Simulations Seismic Modification of Asteroid Surfaces: Laboratory Simulations

Sep 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.6201i&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #62.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.605

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We are conducting experiments to explore the effects of impact-derived seismic shaking on the morphology and stratigraphy of asteroids. A better understanding of the processes of seismic shaking in the terrestrial gravitational field should provide useful insights for low gravity environments into crater degradation and erasure processes, the development of "ponds" (Eros), and the evolution of the regolith on Itokawa. The vibration tables at the JHU/APL spacecraft testing facility can be configured to induce both vertical and horizontal accelerations of up to a few gravities over amplitudes of a few centimeters. The Seismic Simulation Mockup, a 1-meter square, 40 cm deep Plexiglas sandbox, boltable to the table, is designed to handle the accelerations of simulated seismic events. Preliminary experiments using playground sand as a regolith simulant provide results for the response of slopes, flat surfaces, and landforms to single jerks and sustained shaking in different horizontal directions. Some notable empirical results include slow downslope motion of large pebbles relative to smaller and lighter materials; sustained convection of lighter material near the surface while large blocks remain nearly motionless during sustained quaking; formation of landslides in craters, when subjected to single jerks, primarily in the direction of initial acceleration; significant softening of crater rims after only a few small jerks; and complete erasure of a crater upon one large jerk. This work is supported by NASA DDAP grant NNG05GC08G.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Seismic Modification of Asteroid Surfaces: Laboratory Simulations does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Seismic Modification of Asteroid Surfaces: Laboratory Simulations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Seismic Modification of Asteroid Surfaces: Laboratory Simulations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1078000