Radiation Formation of a Non-Volatile Crust
- Creators
- Johnson, R. E.
- Cooper, J. F.
- Lanzerotti, L. J.
- Others:
- Battrick, B.
- Rolfe, E. J.
- Reinhard, R.
Abstract
Ion irradiation of the outer meters of a cometary surface produces new molecular species in the solid state. Because of the vacuum interfaces these segregate in an irreversible way into a non-volatile residue and new very volatile species, which are lost directly or lost when the comet enters the inner solar system. It is, therefore, likely that a comet exposed to background radiations in the Oort cloud would obtain an outer web of nonvolatile material which will lead to the formation of a substantial 'crust' (~10^2 gm/cm^2). Except for fizzures and break-off of pieces due to warming of subsurface gases, this mantel should be continuously hardened for a periodic comet due, primarily, to thermal processing. There will also be active regions which were shaded from the cosmic ray radiation.
Additional Information
Work supported by the NSF Astronomy Division.Attached Files
Accepted Version - 1986-14.pdf
Files
Name | Size | Download all |
---|---|---|
md5:e95b3137f1711e6168706a2d7ed7b5bb
|
1.1 MB | Preview Download |
Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 45347
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140430-092533314
- NSF Astronomy Division
- Created
-
2014-04-30Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
-
2019-10-03Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Space Radiation Laboratory
- Series Name
- ESA Special Publication
- Series Volume or Issue Number
- SP-250
- Other Numbering System Name
- Space Radiation Laboratory
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 1986-14