Experimental data on the formation of nanophase iron in the lunar soil
- Authors: Sorokin Е.М.1, Gerasimov М.V.2, Zaitsev М.А.2, Shcherbakov V.D.3, Ryazantsev К.М.1, Krasheninnikov S.P.1, Yakovlev О.I.1, Slyuta Е.N.1
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Affiliations:
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
- Institute of Space Research, Russian Academy of Sciences
- Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov
- Issue: Vol 70, No 2 (2025)
- Pages: 107-125
- Section: Articles
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/0016-7525/article/view/294761
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S0016752525020013
- EDN: https://elibrary.ru/GPXKGA
- ID: 294761
Cite item
Abstract
The formation of nanophase metallic iron (npFe0) in lunar regoliths, which is observed in the condensate films on the surface of mineral grains and in agglutinate glasses, is one of the signs of “space weathering” on the Moon under the influence of solar wind and micrometeorite bombardment. The paper presents the results of laser experiments simulating micrometeorite “impact” on basalt, olivine, pyroxene and some other types of targets. Numerous iron nanospherules that are often arranged into chains and clusters were found in the molten products of the “impact”. The experiments showed that npFe0 can be formed without the participation of implanted solar wind ions (hydrogen ions) as a reducing agent, as well as without iron condensation from shock-formed vapor. Similar clusters of nanophase metallic iron and chain structures are observed in the impact glasses of the lunar regolith and asteroid particles.
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About the authors
Е. М. Sorokin
Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
Author for correspondence.
Email: egorgeohim@ya.ru
Russian Federation, Kosygina St., 19, Moscow, 119991
М. V. Gerasimov
Institute of Space Research, Russian Academy of Sciences
Email: egorgeohim@ya.ru
Russian Federation, Profsoyuznaya str., 84/32, Moscow, 117485
М. А. Zaitsev
Institute of Space Research, Russian Academy of Sciences
Email: egorgeohim@ya.ru
Russian Federation, Profsoyuznaya str., 84/32, Moscow, 117485
V. D. Shcherbakov
Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov
Email: egorgeohim@ya.ru
Faculty of Geology
Russian Federation, Leninskie Gory, 1, Moscow, 119991К. М. Ryazantsev
Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
Email: egorgeohim@ya.ru
Russian Federation, Kosygina St., 19, Moscow, 119991
S. P. Krasheninnikov
Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
Email: egorgeohim@ya.ru
Russian Federation, Kosygina St., 19, Moscow, 119991
О. I. Yakovlev
Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
Email: egorgeohim@ya.ru
Russian Federation, Kosygina St., 19, Moscow, 119991
Е. N. Slyuta
Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
Email: egorgeohim@ya.ru
Russian Federation, Kosygina St., 19, Moscow, 119991
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