Solar Wind Irradiation Research Articles

Bi-directional reflectance and polarization measurements of pulse-laser irradiated airless body analog materials

Space weathering (SW) processes including solar wind irradiation and micrometeorite bombardment produce nano-phase iron (npFe) and amorphous layers that redden and darken the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectra of the surface of airless bodies. To understand how SW may affect the directional reflectance and polarization properties of regolith layers, we carried out pulsed laser irradiation experiments to simulate micrometeorite bombardment process on olivine (OL), orthopyroxene (OPX), anorthosite (AN), ilmenite (ILM), and JSC-1A Lunar Regolith Simulant (LRS). All samples have been equalized with a size distribution of (<45 μm) and the unsieved LRS with (<1 mm) was also used. Depending on each sample's difficulty level of weathering, 2 to 8 irradiations with single pulse energy of 50 mJ were used in the irradiations. We measured the spectral reflectance from 0.5 to 25 μm, bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) and polarization phase curves at 0.633 μm of the samples before and after irradiations. Scanning electron microscopic images show that the irradiated samples become rougher with produced melts and agglutinates. The VNIR reflectance spectra of all irradiated samples show prominent darkening and reddening, except for the unsieved LSR sample which shows spectral blueing. Compared to that of the original samples, the BRDF of irradiated OL and OPX have both enhanced back- and forward-scattering components, while the other 4 samples have enhanced backscattering but nearly unchanged (AN, ILM, JSC-1A (<45 μm)) or decreased (JSC-1A (<1 mm)) forward scattering. In general, the irradiated samples have larger positive polarization values DOPmax as compared to the original samples, consistent with the Umov law prediction. Within measurement uncertainties, the irradiated samples did not show systematic changes in the minimum polarization value DOPmin and the polarization inversion angle αinv. Using OL as an example, numerical radiative transfer computations verified that, the BRDF of olivine grains with npFe distributed uniformly inside the grains or coated with npFe have enhanced back- and forward scattering components as compared with that of the original grains, consistent with measurement results. A 5-parameter Hapke photometric model inversion has shown that all sample grains except OPX have become more backscattering (with smaller asymmetry parameters) upon the strongest irradiation as compared with the original ones. These results indicate that the directional reflectance properties of space weathered regolith grains of airless bodies may be more backscattering than that of fresh materials.

Hyperspectral FTIR imaging of irradiated carbonaceous meteorites

Space weathering produces variations in the optical properties of small solar system body surfaces. Laboratory studies have been performed by several groups on different meteorite classes, aimed at simulating space weathering by using ion irradiation and laser ablation. Here we present new FTIR spectral imaging data of ion irradiated carbonaceous chondrites (CV Allende and CM Murchison meteorites), simulating solar wind irradiation on primitive asteroids. Irradiation conditions (40 keV He+ and Ar+ up to 3.1016 ion/cm2) were reported in detail in previous studies. The new analyses were performed with a FTIR micro-spectrometer equipped with an FPA (Focal Plane Array) detector. Micro-reflectance spectra were acquired in the 2.5–12 μm range using a spot size of 20 μm and scanning large areas (from mm2 to cm2) of the meteorite pellets, both on virgin areas and on areas irradiated with different doses. Spectral maps allow us characterizing the heterogeneity of the meteorites at the 20 μm spatial scale. In the irradiated areas, we observe spectral modifications of both anhydrous and hydrated silicates. Spectral shifts are observed after irradiation, larger for anhydrous than hydrated silicates. Compositional heterogeneity of the pristine materials and irradiation effects are compared to each other as a function of the irradiation dose, to determine which spectral features are more sensitive to space weathering. Results are then compared with the IR spectral capabilities of instruments onboard the Hayabusa2/JAXA and OSIRIS-REx/NASA spacecrafts, to provide these missions with spectral criteria on how to distinguish space weathering from compositional heterogeneity effects at the asteroid, and in view of surface selection for sample return.

Phase-dependent space weathering effects and spectroscopic identification of retained helium in a lunar soil grain

The solar wind is an important driver of space weathering on airless bodies. Over time, solar wind exposure alters the physical, chemical, and optical properties of exposed materials and can also impart a significant amount of helium into the surfaces of these bodies. However, common materials on the surface of the Moon, such as glass, crystalline silicates, and oxides, have highly variable responses to solar wind irradiation. We used scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to examine the morphology and chemistry of a single grain of lunar soil that includes silicate glass, chromite and ilmenite, all present and exposed along the same surface. The exposure of the silicate glass and oxides to the same space weathering conditions allows for direct comparisons of the responses of natural materials to the complex lunar surface environment. The silicate glass shows minimal effects of solar wind irradiation, whereas both the chromite and ilmenite exhibit defect-rich rims that currently contain trapped helium. Only the weathered rim in ilmenite is rich in nanophase metallic iron (npFe0) and larger vesicles that retain helium at a range of internal pressures. The multiple exposed surfaces of the single grain of ilmenite demonstrate strong crystallographic controls of planar defects and non-spherical npFe0. The direct spectroscopic identification of helium in the vesicles and planar defects in the oxides provides additional evidence of the central role of solar wind irradiation in the formation of some common space weathering features.

イトカワの宇宙風化における太陽風照射の重要性について（特集「はやぶさ帰還試料の分析で分かったこと」）

イトカワの宇宙風化における太陽風照射の重要性について（特集「はやぶさ帰還試料の分析で分かったこと」）

Femtosecond laser irradiation of olivine single crystals: Experimental simulation of space weathering

Space weathering is one of the most common surface process occurring on atmosphere-free bodies such as asteroids and the Moon. It is caused mainly by solar wind irradiation and the impact of micrometeoroids. In order to simulate space weathering effects, in particular those produced by hypervelocity impacts, we produced microcraters via ultra-short (∼100 fs) laser irradiation of crystallographically oriented slices of forsterite-rich (Fo94.7) olivine. The main advantages of the application of a femtosecond laser radiation to reproduce the space weathering effects are (1) the high peak irradiance (1015 W cm−2), which generates the propagation of the shock wave at the nanosecond timescale (i.e., timescale of the micrometeoroid impacts); (2) the rapid transfer of energy to the target material, which avoids the interaction of laser light with the developing vapor plume; (3) a small laser beam, which allows the effects of a single impact to be simulated. The results of our spectroscopic and electron microscopic investigation validate this approach: the samples show strong darkening and reddening of the reflectance spectra and structural damages similar to the natural microcraters found on regolith grains of the Moon and asteroid 25143 Itokawa. Detailed investigations of several microcrater cross-sections by transmission electron microscopy allowed the detection of shock-induced defect microstructures. From the top to the bottom of the grain, the shock wave causes evaporation, melting, solid-state recrystallization, misorientation, fracturing, and the propagation of dislocations with Burgers vectors parallel to [001]. The formation of a short-lived vapor plume causes the kinetic fractionation of the gas and the preferential loss of lighter elements, mostly magnesium and oxygen. The high temperatures within the melt layer and the kinetic loss of oxygen promote the thermal reduction of iron and nickel, which leads to the formation of metallic nanoparticles (npFe0). The final stage of the microcrater formation is the cooling of the melt layer that results in its partial crystallization and the formation of olivine crystals with a palisade-like texture.

Ion irradiation of carbonaceous chondrites: A new view of space weathering on primitive asteroids

We present an experimental study on ion irradiation of carbonaceous chondrites, simulating solar wind irradiation on primitive asteroids, to better constrain the space weathering processes of low albedo objects. The irradiations were performed on pressed pellets of the CV Allende, CO Frontier Mountain 95002 and Lancé, CM Mighei, CI Alais, and ungrouped Tagish Lake meteorites, as well as on some silicate samples (olivine and diopside). We used 40keV He+ with fluences up to 6×1016 ions/cm2 corresponding to timescales of 103–104 years for an object in the Main Belt. Reflectance spectra were acquired ex situ before and after irradiations in the visible to mid-infrared range (0.4–16 µm). Several spectral modifications are observed. In the MIR range, we observe a shift of the phyllosilicates (near 3 and 10 µm) and silicates (near 10 µm) bands toward longer wavelength. In the visible-NIR range, spectral darkening and reddening are observed for some samples, while others show spectral brightening and blueing. Results are also compared with previous irradiation on ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites. We find that the spectral modifications in the visible range are correlated with the initial albedo/composition. We propose a model for space weathering effects on low albedo objects, showing that those with initial albedo between 5 and 9% shall not suffer SpWe effects in the visible range. These experiments provide new clues on spectroscopic features modifications within the visible-infrared ranges that could be detected in situ by future sample return missions (Hayabusa-2/JAXA and OSIRIS-REx/NASA).

TEM Analyses of Itokawa Regolith Grains and Lunar Soil Grains to Directly Determine Space Weathering Rates on Airless Bodies

Samples returned from the moon and Asteroid Itokawa by NASA's Apollo Missions and JAXA's Hayabusa Mission, respectively, provide a unique record of their interaction with the space environment. Space weathering effects result from micrometeorite impact activity and interactions with the solar wind. While the effects of solar wind interactions, ion implantation and solar flare particle track accumulation, have been studied extensively, the rate at which these effects accumulate in samples on airless bodies has not been conclusively determined. Results of numerical modeling and experimental simulations do not converge with observations from natural samples. We measured track densities and rim thicknesses of three olivine grains from Itokawa and multiple olivine and anorthite grains from lunar soils of varying exposure ages. Samples were prepared for analysis using a Leica EM UC6 ultramicrotome and an FEI Quanta 3D dual beam focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses were performed on the JEOL 2500SE 200kV field emission STEM. The solar wind damaged rims on lunar anorthite grains are amorphous, lack inclusions, and are compositionally similar to the host grain. The rim width increases as a smooth function of exposure age until it levels off at approximately 180 nm after approximately 20 My (Fig. 1). While solar wind ion damage can only accumulate while the grain is in a direct line of sight to the Sun, solar flare particles can penetrate to mm-depths. To assess whether the track density accurately predicts surface exposure, we measured the rim width and track density in olivine and anorthite from the surface of rock 64455, which was never buried and has a surface exposure age of 2 My based on isotopic measurements. The rim width from 64455 (60-70nm) plots within error of the well-defined trend for solar wind amorphized rims in Fig. 1. Measured solar flare track densities are accurately reflecting the surface exposure of the grains. Track densities correlate with the amorphous rim thicknesses. While the space-weathered rims of anorthite grains are amorphous, the space-weathered rims on both Itokawa and lunar olivine grains show solar wind damaged rims that are not amorphous. Instead, the rims are nanocrystalline with high dislocation densities and sparse inclusions of nanophase Fe metal. The rim thicknesses on the olivine grains also correlate with track density. The Itokawa olivine grains have track densities that indicate surface exposures of approximately 10(exp 5) years. Longer exposures (up to approximately 10(exp 7) years) do not amorphize the rims, as evidenced by lunar soil olivines with high track densities (approximately 10(exp 11) cm(exp -2)). From the combined data, shown in Fig. 1, it is clear that olivine is damaged (but not amorphized) more rapidly by the solar wind compared to anorthite. The olivine damaged rim forms quickly (in approximately 10(exp 6) y) and saturates at approximately 120nm with longer exposure time. The anorthite damaged rims form more slowly, amorphize, and grow thicker than the olivine rims. This is in agreement with numerical modeling data which predicts that solar wind damaged rims on anorthite will be thicker than olivine. However, the models predict that both olivine and anorthite rims will amorphize and reach equilibrium widths in less than 10(exp 3) y, in contrast to what is observed for natural samples. Laboratory irradiation experiments, which show rapid formation of fully amorphous and blistered surfaces from simulated solar wind exposures are also in contrast to observations of natural samples. These results suggest that there is a flux dependence on the type and extent of irradiation damage that develops in olivine. This flux dependence suggests that great caution be used in extrapolating between high-flux laboratory experiments and the natural case, as demonstrated by. We constrain the space weathering rate through analysis of returned samples. Provided that the track densities and the solar wind damaged rim widths exhibited by the Itokawa grains are typical of the fine-grained regions of Itokawa, then the space weathering rate is on the order of 10(exp 5) y. Space weathering effects in lunar soils saturate within a few My of exposure while those in Itokawa regolith grains formed in approximately 10(exp 5) y. Olivine and anorthite respond differently to solar wind irradiation. The space weathering effects in olivine are particularly difficult to reconcile with laboratory irradiation studies and numerical models. Additional measurements, experiments, and modeling are required to resolve the discrepancies among the observations and calculations involving solar wind amorphization of different minerals on airless bodies.

Nanomorphology of Itokawa regolith particles: Application to space-weathering processes affecting the Itokawa asteroid

The morphological properties of 26 regolith particles from asteroid Itokawa were observed using scanning electron microscopes in combination with an investigation of their three-dimensional shapes obtained through X-ray microtomography. Surface observations of a cross section of the LL5 chondrite, and of crystals of olivine and pyroxene, were also performed for comparison. Some Itokawa particles have surfaces corresponding to walls of microdruses in the LL chondrite, where concentric polygonal steps develop and euhedral or subhedral grains exist. These formed through vapor growth owing to thermal annealing, which might have been caused by thermal metamorphism or shock-induced heating in Itokawa’s parent body. Most of the Itokawa particles have more or less fractured surfaces, indicating that they were formed by disaggregation, probably caused by impacts. Itokawa particles with angular and rounded edges observed in computed tomography images are associated with surfaces exhibiting clear and faint structures, respectively. These surfaces can be interpreted by invoking different degrees of abrasion after regolith formation. A possible mechanism for the abrasion process is grain migration caused by impact-driven seismic waves. Space-weathered rims with blisters are distributed heterogeneously across the Itokawa regolith particles. This heterogeneous distribution can be explained by particle motion and fracturing, combined with solar-wind irradiation of the particle surfaces. The regolith activity—including grain motion, fracturing, and abrasion—might effectively act as refreshing process of Itokawa particles against space-weathered rim formation. The space-weathering processes affecting Itokawa would have developed simultaneously with space-weathered rim formation and regolith particle refreshment.

Refractory and semi-volatile organics at the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko: Insights from the VIRTIS/Rosetta imaging spectrometer

The VIRTIS (Visible, Infrared and Thermal Imaging Spectrometer) instrument aboard the Rosetta spacecraft has performed extensive spectral mapping of the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in the range 0.3–5µm. The reflectance spectra collected across the surface display a low reflectance factor over the whole spectral range, two spectral slopes in the visible and near-infrared ranges and a broad absorption band centered at 3.2µm. The first two of these characteristics are typical of dark small bodies of the Solar System and are difficult to interpret in terms of composition. Moreover, solar wind irradiation may modify the structure and composition of surface materials and there is no unequivocal interpretation of these spectra devoid of vibrational bands. To circumvent these problems, we consider the composition of cometary grains analyzed in the laboratory to constrain the nature of the cometary materials and consider results on surface rejuvenation and solar wind processing provided by the OSIRIS and ROSINA instruments, respectively. Our results lead to five main conclusions: (i) The low albedo of comet 67P/CG is accounted for by a dark refractory polyaromatic carbonaceous component mixed with opaque minerals. VIRTIS data do not provide direct insights into the nature of these opaque minerals. However, according to the composition of cometary grains analyzed in the laboratory, we infer that they consist of Fe-Ni alloys and FeS sulfides. (ii) A semi-volatile component, consisting of a complex mix of low weight molecular species not volatilized at T∼220K, is likely a major carrier of the 3.2µm band. Water ice contributes significantly to this feature in the neck region but not in other regions of the comet. COOH in carboxylic acids is the only chemical group that encompasses the broad width of this feature. It appears as a highly plausible candidate along with the NH4+ ion. (iii) Photolytic/thermal residues, produced in the laboratory from interstellar ice analogs, are potentially good spectral analogs. (iv) No hydrated minerals were identified and our data support the lack of genetic links with the CI, CR and CM primitive chondrites. This concerns in particular the Orgueil chondrite, previously suspected to have been of cometary origin. (v) The comparison between fresh and aged terrains revealed no effect of solar wind irradiation on the 3.2µm band. This is consistent with the presence of efficient resurfacing processes such as dust transport from the interior to the surface, as revealed by the OSIRIS camera.

Insights Into Regolith Evolution from TEM Studies of Space Weathering of Itokawa Particles

Exposure to solar wind irradiation and micrometeorite impacts alter the properties of regolith materials exposed on airless bodies. However, estimates of space weathering rates for asteroid regoliths span many orders of magnitude. Timescales for space weathering processes on airless bodies can be anchored by analyzing surface samples returned by JAXA's Hayabusa mission to asteroid 25143 Itokawa. Constraints on timescales of solar flare particle track accumulation and formation of solar wind produced ion-damaged rims yield information on regolith dynamics.

Surface and internal structures of a space-weathered rim of an Itokawa regolith particle

Surface morphologies of a regolith particle retrieved from Asteroid 25143 Itokawa were observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The images were compared with the internal structures of the space-weathered rim of the same particle observed by transmission electron and scanning transmission electron microscopies (TEM/STEM) to investigate whether there is a direct link between the surface morphology and internal structure. FE-SEM observation showed that most of the particle surface is covered by convex spots less than 100nm in size. TEM/STEM observation revealed that this particle has a space-weathered rim composed of partially amorphous structures with nano-Fe particles and vesicles. The vesicles swell the surface and form blisters that correspond to the spotted structures observed by FE-SEM. These observations indicate that a space-weathered rim with blisters can be observed by FE-SEM without using destructive methods. The observation of the space-weathered rim by FE-SEM also enabled us to obtain the distribution of the space-weathered rim on the particle surfaces. The existence of space-weathered rims on the opposing surfaces of the particle shows that most of the surfaces were directly exposed to the space environment by movement on the Itokawa surface. The depths of the blister locations and the chemical composition of the space-weathered rim indicate that the observed space-weathered rim with blisters was formed mainly by solar wind irradiation. The space-weathered rim analyzed in this study is thicker than those of Itokawa particles previously examined, indicating that the rim may has experienced longer solar wind exposure than those previously observed.

Ion irradiation of the Murchison meteorite: Visible to mid-infrared spectroscopic results

Aims. The goal of this study is to simulate space weathering processes on primitive bodies. We use ion implantation as a simulation of solar wind irradiation, which has been suggested by several authors to be the major component of space weathering on main belt asteroids. The laboratory analogs we irradiate and analyze are carbonaceous chondrites; we started the study with the Allende CV meteorite and in this companion paper we present results on the Murchison CM meteorite. Methods. We performed irradiations on pressed pellets of Murchison with 40 keV He + and Ar + ions using fluences up to 3 × 10 16 ions/cm 2 . Reflectance spectra were acquired ex situ before and after irradiation in the visible to mid-infrared range (0.4–16 µm). A Raman analysis was also performed to investigate the modifications of the aromatic carbonaceous component. Results. Our results indicate that spectral variations after irradiation within the visible range are smaller than spectral variations due to sample grain size or viewing geometry of the Murchison meteorite. The aqueous alteration band profile near 3 µm changes after irradiation, as adsorbed water is removed, and phyllosilicates are affected. Raman spectroscopy highlights the insoluble organic matter (IOM) modification under irradiation. We observe a shift of the silicates band at 9.9 µm, probably due to a preferential loss of Mg (compared to Fe, the lighter Mg is more easily sputtered backward) and/or amorphization of Mg-rich materials. We compare our results to previous experiments on organic-rich materials (like asphaltite or carbonaceous chondrites), and on ordinary chondrites and olivine grains. We find that the reddening/darkening trend observed on silicate-rich surfaces is not valid for all carbonaceous chondrites, and that the spectral modifications after irradiation are a function of the initial albedo.

The mineralogy and space weathering of a regolith grain from 25143 Itokawa and the possibility of annealed solar wind damage

We report the results of detailed mineralogical investigations by analytical scanning and transmission electron microscopy of particle RA-QD02-0115 recovered from the surface of asteroid 25143 Itokawa. We divided the 65 μm × 50 μm small particle into eight individual subsample slices via the focused ion beam method. The particle dominantly consists of olivine and contains inclusions of merrillite, tetrataenite/taenite, troilite, chromite, kamacite, and Cl-bearing apatite (in approx. decreasing order of frequency). The composition of olivine (fayalite 29.8 ± 1.1 mol% and molar Fe/Mn ratio of 57 ± 2) as well as the Ni-rich metal assemblage indicates an LL-type affinity in accord with previous classifications. The particle shows effects of solar wind irradiation on one of its principal faces. Olivine developed an approximately 34 nm wide rim composed of low-angle misoriented, nanometer-sized crystallites accompanied by a small amount of amorphous material. Exposed troilite developed a 4 to 8 nm wide polycrystalline rim with large-angle misorientations of the iron sulfide nanocrystallites. Merrilite shows marginally discernable surface damage but was too unstable under the electron beam for a detailed study. Cl-bearing apatite was found fully crystalline with no discernable rim structure. We discuss the unusual polycrystalline nature of the olivine rim in terms of possible annealing and recrystallization effects, which may have occurred during periods of time when Itokawa’s surface temperature may have been warmer due to closer perihelion distances. Model calculations show that the dynamical orbital evolution of near-Earth asteroids could lead to complex space weathering processes, arising from the competing interplay between irradiation-induced damaging and thermally driven annealing.

Microchemical and structural evidence for space weathering in soils from asteroid Itokawa

Here we report microchemical and microstructural features indicative of space weathering in a particle returned from the surface of asteroid Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission. Space weathering features include partially and completely amorphous rims, chemically and structurally heterogeneous multilayer rims, amorphous surface islands, vesiculated rim textures, and nanophase iron particles. Solar-wind irradiation is likely responsible for the amorphization as well as the associated vesiculation of grain rims. The multilayer rims contain a nanocrystalline outer layer that is underlain by an amorphous inner layer, and both have compositions that are distinct from the underlying, crystalline orthopyroxene grain. The multilayer rim features could be derived from either radiation-induced sputter deposition or vapor deposition from micrometeorite impact events. The amorphous islands on grain surfaces have a distinctive morphology and composition suggesting that they represent surface deposits of melt derived from micrometeorite impact events. These observations indicate that both irradiation damage and micrometeorite impacts play a role in surface modification and space weathering on asteroid Itokawa.

Ion irradiation of Allende meteorite probed by visible, IR, and Raman spectroscopies

Little is known about carbonaceous asteroids weathering in space as previous studies have struggled to define a general spectral trend among dark surfaces. Here we present experiments on ion irradiation of the Allende meteorite, performed using 40keV He+ and Ar+ ions, as a simulation of solar wind irradiation of primitive bodies surfaces. We used different fluences up to 3×1016ions/cm2, corresponding to short timescales of ∼103–104yrs in the main asteroid belt. Samples were analyzed before and after irradiation using visible to far-IR (0.4–50μm) reflectance spectroscopy, and Raman micro-spectroscopy. Similarly to what observed in previous experiments, results show a reddening and darkening of VIS–NIR reflectance spectra. These spectral variations are however comparable to other spectral variations due to viewing geometry, grain size, and sample preparation, suggesting an explanation for the contradictory space weathering studies of dark asteroids. After irradiation, the infrared bands of the matrix olivine silicates change profile and shift to longer wavelength, possibly as a consequence of a more efficient sputtering effect on Mg than Fe (lighter and more volatile species are preferentially sputtered backwards) and/or preferential amorphization of Mg-rich olivine. Spectral variations are compatible with the Hapke weathering model. Raman spectroscopy shows that the carbonaceous component is substantially affected by irradiation: different degrees of de-ordering are produced as a function of dose, to finally end with a highly disordered carbon. All observed modifications seem to scale with the nuclear elastic dose.

Constraints on 10Be and 41Ca distribution in the early solar system from 26Al and 10Be studies of Efremovka CAIs

Three refractory coarse grained CAIs from the Efremovka CV3 chondrite, one (E65) previously shown to have formed with live 41Ca, were studied by ion microprobe for their 26Al–26Mg and 10Be–10B systematic in order to better understand the origin of 10Be. The high precision Al–Mg data and the inferred 26Al/27Al values attest that the precursors of the three CAIs evolved in the solar nebula over a period of few hundred thousand years before last melting–crystallization events. The initial 10Be/9Be ratios and δ10B values defined by the 10Be isochrons for the three Efremovka CAIs are similar within errors. The CAI 10Be abundance in published data underscores the large range for initial 10Be/9Be ratios. This is contrary to the relatively small range of 26Al/27Al variations in CAIs around the canonical ratio. Two models that could explain the origin of this large 10Be/9Be range are assessed from the collateral variations predicted for the initial δ10B values: (i) closed system decay of 10Be from a “canonical” 10Be/9Be ratio and (ii) formation of CAIs from a mixture of solid precursors and nebula gas irradiated during up to a few hundred thousand years. The second scenario is shown to be the most consistent with the data. This shows that the major fraction of 10Be in CAIs was produced by irradiation of refractory grains, while contributions of galactic cosmic rays trapping and early solar wind irradiation are less dominant. The case for 10Be production by solar cosmic rays irradiation of solid refractory precursors poses a conundrum for 41Ca because the latter is easily produced by irradiation and should be more abundant than what is observed in CAIs. 10Be production by irradiation from solar energetic particles requires high 41Ca abundance in early solar system, however, this is not observed in CAIs.

Space weathered rims found on the surfaces of the Itokawa dust particles

AbstractOn the basis of observations using Cs‐corrected STEM, we identified three types of surface modification probably formed by space weathering on the surfaces of Itokawa particles. They are (1) redeposition rims (2–3 nm), (2) composite rims (30–60 nm), and (3) composite vesicular rims (60–80 nm). These rims are characterized by a combination of three zones. Zone I occupies the outermost part of the surface modification, which contains elements that are not included in the unchanged substrate minerals, suggesting that this zone is composed of sputter deposits and/or impact vapor deposits originating from the surrounding minerals. Redeposition rims are composed only of Zone I and directly attaches to the unchanged minerals (Zone III). Zone I of composite and composite vesicular rims often contains nanophase (Fe,Mg)S. The composite rims and the composite vesicular rims have a two‐layered structure: a combination of Zone I and Zone II, below which Zone III exists. Zone II is the partially amorphized zone. Zone II of ferromagnesian silicates contains abundant nanophase Fe. Radiation‐induced segregation and in situ reduction are the most plausible mechanisms to form nanophase Fe in Zone II. Their lattice fringes indicate that they contain metallic iron, which probably causes the reddening of the reflectance spectra of Itokawa. Zone II of the composite vesicular rims contains vesicles. The vesicles in Zone II were probably formed by segregation of solar wind He implanted in this zone. The textures strongly suggest that solar wind irradiation damage and implantation are the major causes of surface modification and space weathering on Itokawa.

The solar-wind irradiation record of the Hayabusa samples inferred from noble gas isotope compositions : Towards understanding of the evolution of small bodies based on the returned sample analyses (Special issue: What has been clarified by analytical results of Hayabusa-returned samples)

The solar-wind irradiation record of the Hayabusa samples inferred from noble gas isotope compositions : Towards understanding of the evolution of small bodies based on the returned sample analyses (Special issue: What has been clarified by analytical results of Hayabusa-returned samples)

PRESOLAR GRAINS FROM NOVAE: EVIDENCE FROM NEON AND HELIUM ISOTOPES IN COMET DUST COLLECTIONS

Presolar grains in meteorites and interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) carry non-solar isotopic signatures pointing to origins in supernovae, giant stars, and possibly other stellar sources. There have been suggestions that some of these grains condensed in the ejecta of classical nova outbursts, but the evidence is ambiguous. We report neon and helium compositions in particles captured on stratospheric collectors flown to sample materials from comets 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup and 55P/Tempel-Tuttle that point to condensation of their gas carriers in the ejecta of a neon (ONe) nova. The absence of detectable 3He in these particles indicates space exposure to solar wind (SW) irradiation of a few decades at most, consistent with origins in cometary dust streams. Measured 4He/20Ne, 20Ne/22Ne, 21Ne/22Ne and 20Ne/21Ne isotope ratios, and a low upper limit on 3He/4He, are in accord with calculations of nucleosynthesis in neon nova outbursts. Of these, the uniquely low 4He/20Ne and high 20Ne/22Ne ratios are the most diagnostic, reflecting the large predicted 20Ne abundances in the ejecta of such novae. The correspondence of measured Ne and He compositions in cometary matter with theoretical predictions is evidence for the presence of presolar grains from novae in the early solar system.

Space Weathering Processes and Effects on the Moon

太空风化作用普遍发生在月球、小行星等一些无大气层的天体表面, 主要包括太阳风离子辐射和微陨石撞击等作用. 通过对真实月球样品太空风化作用的研究成果以及低能离子和激光照射等地面模拟实验结果的系统综述和分析, 重点分析了月壤颗粒中非晶质层和纳米铁的成因, 指出太空风化研究中存在的太阳风离子辐射和微陨石撞击贡献难以区分及模拟实验模拟效果尚不充分的问题.进而提出月球太空风化研究不能简单套用其他天体的模型, 并建议未来开展更多月球和陨石样品的精细化学分析.