Asteroid surface impact sampling: dependence of the cavity morphology and collected mass on projectile shape.

ABSTRACT: In-situ exploration and remote thermal infrared observation revealed that a large fraction of Solar System small bodies should be covered with granular regolith. The complex and varied geology of the regolith layer may preserve the historical records of the surface modification and topographic evolution experienced by asteroids, especially cratering processes, in which the projectile shape plays a crucial role. Regarding the impact sampling scheme, the projectile-shape dependence of both the cavity morphology and the collected mass remains to be explored. This paper studies the process of the low-speed impact sampling on granular regolith using projectiles of different shapes. The results demonstrate that the projectile shape significantly influences the excavation stage, forming cavities

SUBMITTER: Cheng B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5577283 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature