Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.1608r&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #16.08
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Universal processes of space weathering within and beyond the solar system include plasma ion implantation into surfaces, surface sputtering by plasma and energetic ions, surface volume ionization by penetrating charged particles, and radiolytic chemistry evolved from radiation products. Surface regolith layers on bodies with very thin or no significant atmospheres evolve structurally and chemically from impact processing by micrometeroids and larger impactors. Regolith and porosity formation by such impacts have major affects on surface properties. Surface-bound exospheres arise on bodies such as the Moon and Europa from space irradiation and impact effects, and these atmospheres in turn interact chemically with the surfaces. Ejection of surface materials by sputtering, impacts, or volcanism (Io, Enceladus) becomes a local source of plasma, neutral gas, and dust. Systems of bodies, e.g., asteroids, Galilean moons, and Kuiper Belt Objects, can exchange surface materials through the intervening space environments via such processes. Orbiting or landed spacecraft missions to space-weathered bodies must survive those environments, account for processes that may hide the intrinsic composition of those bodies below a patina of space-weathering products, and exploit space environment interactions (e.g., sputtering) for measurements of surface and sub-surface properties. For potentially habitable environments such as Europa and Enceladus, the harmful and helpful effects may impact the search for biosignatures and prebiotic materials. Key mission and instrumental objectives recommended for the next decade include (1) measurement of full elemental and key isotope composition, (2) assessment of composition and radiation aging correlations to surface geology and topography, including any protected refugia of organics, (3) comparative compositional analysis of system bodies as records of system origins and evolution, (4) development of advanced remote sensing and in-situ analysis instruments for such analyses, and (5) supporting laboratory analyses to characterize surface properties under realistic conditions involving space weathering processes. White Paper Lead: John Cooper.
Cooper John F.
Hartle Richard E.
Johnson Robert E.
McGrath Melissa A.
Paranicas Chris
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