Bombardment of Cryogenic Targets with Simulated Hypervelocity Micrometeoroids in the Lab
Abstract
The dust accelerator facility at the SSERVI Institute for Modeling Plasma, Atmospheres, and Cosmic Dust (IMPACT) has recently developed a cryogenic ice target which can be exposed to micron and submicron particles accelerated to speeds up to 100 km/s. This capability is motivated by the need for a quantifiable experimental investigation into the hypervelocity micrometeoroid impact phenomena that contribute to the evolution of interplanetary icy surfaces. Capabilities granted by this facility are crucial to understanding the interesting complex chemistry and surface weathering effects that result from hypervelocity dust impacts and to calibrate instruments for space missions. The ice target consists of a LN2 cryogenic system connected to both a vapor deposition system and a movable freezer/holder for a pre-mixed liquid cartridge, for use in single-component ices or salty/multi-component mixtures, respectively. Impact products and chemistry are assessed with an integrated time-of-flight mass spectrometer. We present the early results from studies of hypervelocity iron particle impacts into frozen H2O (both pure and with controlled salt content), and methanol, bombarded with Fe particles and other materials. Such studies can be used to predict and interpret possible chemical signatures from impact products at planetary surfaces containing similar component materials.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFM.P53C2232M
- Keywords:
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- 1027 Composition of the planets;
- GEOCHEMISTRYDE: 1028 Composition of meteorites;
- GEOCHEMISTRYDE: 7849 Plasma interactions with dust and aerosols;
- SPACE PLASMA PHYSICSDE: 8450 Planetary volcanism;
- VOLCANOLOGY