What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate whether space weathering products survive lithification in lunar regolith breccias and determine if these signatures can be targeted in asteroidal meteorites.

March 1, 2005Meteoritics and Planetary Science

Evidence of space weathering in regolith breccias I: Lunar regolith breccias

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SNS. K. NobleMarshall Space Flight Center LKL. P. KellerJohnson Space Center CPC. M. PietersBrown University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Petrographic analysis reveals preserved nanophase iron rims in shocked lunar regolith breccias, indicating space weathering signatures survive rock lithification on airless bodies.

Key Points

To evaluate whether space weathering products survive lithification in lunar regolith breccias and determine if these signatures can be targeted in asteroidal meteorites.
Analyzed a suite of lunar regolith breccias across varying degrees of shock and compaction.
Characterized microstructural features, specifically vapor- and sputter-deposited nanophase-iron-bearing rims, glass rims, and vesicular rims.
Vapor- and sputter-deposited nanophase-iron-bearing rims remain readily identifiable even in heavily shocked and compacted lunar regolith breccias.
Identified two additional rim types—glass rims and vesicular rims—that are abundant in breccias but rare in loose lunar soil, indicating they form during impact-driven lithification.

Cite This Study

Noble et al. (2005) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a00ecf910d6befb25777ac4 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2005.tb00390.x

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Petrographic analysis reveals preserved nanophase iron rims in shocked lunar regolith breccias, indicating space weathering signatures survive rock lithification on airless bodies.

Evidence of space weathering in regolith breccias I: Lunar regolith breccias

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Evidence of space weathering in regolith breccias I: Lunar regolith breccias

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider