Presentation #509.04 in the session “Asteroids: NEOs Physical Properties 3 - volatiles and composition”.
Surfaces of asteroids are altered over time by energetic particles, such as solar wind ions, and micrometeorites. These alterations are manifested through physical and/or chemical changes of the outer surface layers of the regolith grains, which can significantly affect the optical reflectance of the asteroid regolith. While these changes have been relatively well-studied for lunar- and some asteroid-type analogs, they have only begun to be investigated for minerals relevant to carbonaceous asteroids. Thus, we have recently begun a concerted laboratory effort to better understand space weathering trends in minerals relevant to C-type asteroids. Here we present some of our more recent results that examine space weathering induced by micrometeorite impacts (simulated by pulsed laser irradiation).