MeV Ion Irradiation of Non-ice Solar System Analogue Materials
EMSL Project ID
2502
Abstract
This project will irradiate select non-ice materials with MeV ions of oxyen, sulfur, and carbon. This experiment is to simulate the irradiation of non-ice materials on the surfaces of of the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn in an investigation into the production of several organic and inorganic materials through the irradiation of non-ice materials. Previous studies have focused on the irradiation of ices. This is a clear departure from those investigations, and the results will have important implication for solar system wide processes that affect the surface compositions of non-ice-bearing bodies. The sample materials to be irradiated have been chosen because of their spectral, and believed compositional, similarities to the spectra of non-ice materials on the surfaces of the Galilean and Saturnian satellites. Additional materials have been selected because of their compositional similarities to the surface of Mars. These minerals include phyllosilicates: montmorillonite and serpentine, oxyhydroxides: goethite, amorphous basaltic weathering products: iron-oxide palagonite, and a darkening agent: carbon. This suite of materials comprises the current extent of endmember materials believed to exist in abundance on these solar system bodies. The MeV irradiation accurate simulates bombardment of surface materials by high-energy ions trapped in (co-rotating with) the magnetic field of the gaseous giants, Jupiter and Saturn. These high-energy particles have been observed impacting the surfaces of satellites around these planets and are believed to seriously alter the surface composition. Much previous work by other scientists has demonstrated the effects this bombardment has on the composition of water-ice. Now, we will demonstrate the effect, if any, this bombardment has on the composition of the non-ice materials that are also ubiquitous on the satellites' surfaces. This work will be an initial investigation into what is hoped will be a continued, multi-year collaboration between EMSL and the Univ. of Washington. Results from these experiments will be used in support of a proposal currently being drafted by the lead author of this proposal for submission to the NASA Office of Space Sciences Cosmochemistry Research program. If successful, we expect to publish one or more peer-reviewd articles in popular scientific journals and to present these results at several international scientific conferences.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2002-05-06
End Date
2005-05-08
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members