Experimental Model of the Formation of Nanophase Metallic Iron in the Lunar Regolith

• Published in: Doklady earth sciences Vol. 492; no. 2; pp. 431 - 433
• Main Authors: Sorokin, E. M., Yakovlev, O. I., Slyuta, E. N., Gerasimov, M. V., Zaitsev, M. A., Shcherbakov, V. D., Ryazantsev, K. M., Krasheninnikov, S. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow Pleiades Publishing 01.06.2020; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Basalt; Bombardment; Chains; Computer simulation; Condensate films; Condensates; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Geochemistry; Hydrogen; Hydrogen ions; Iron; Lasers; Lunar regolith; Lunar soil; Lunar surface; Micrometeorites; Moon; Pulsed lasers; Reducing agents; Regolith; Shock waves; Solar wind; Solar wind effects; Weathering; Wind effects; thermal reduction; nanophase iron; space weathering; Moon; micrometeoritic bombardment
• ISSN: 1028-334X; 1531-8354
• DOI: 10.1134/S1028334X20060203

One of the signs of “space weathering” on the Moon, including the effect of the solar wind and micrometeorite bombardment, is the formation of nanophase metallic iron (np-Fe 0 ) in the lunar regolith, which is observed in condensate films on the surface of regolith mineral grains and in agglutinate glasses. The results of pulsed laser experiments simulating a micrometeorite “impact” on a basalt target are reported. Iron nanoglobules structured into chains and most likely marking the front of the shock wave were discovered in its melt products. The experiments clearly showed that np-Fe 0 may be formed without participation of a reducing agent, such as implanted hydrogen ions of the solar wind, as well as bypassing the process of iron condensation from shock-generated vapor. The similar np-Fe 0 chain structures were detected in the impact glass of the lunar regolith.