Unusual Space Weathering on a CE-5 Metal Grain Indicates Deceptive Surface Signatures of M-type Asteroids
M-type asteroids are historically thought to be exposed metallic cores of differentiated planets with a composition dominated by pure iron and nickel. However, recent spectral and radar observations reveal an insufficient number of M-type asteroids in the main belt. Here, we report unusual space wea...
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ada559 |
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| author | Tian Zhang Hong Tang Xiongyao Li Yuanyun Wen Bing Mo Wen Yu Chuanjiao Zhou Jianzhong Liu |
| author_facet | Tian Zhang Hong Tang Xiongyao Li Yuanyun Wen Bing Mo Wen Yu Chuanjiao Zhou Jianzhong Liu |
| author_sort | Tian Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | M-type asteroids are historically thought to be exposed metallic cores of differentiated planets with a composition dominated by pure iron and nickel. However, recent spectral and radar observations reveal an insufficient number of M-type asteroids in the main belt. Here, we report unusual space weathering characteristics associated with a natural metal grain found in Chang'e 5 lunar soil. Microcraters, impact glass, iron whiskers, and unique vesicular rims on the surface of this grain help to explain the unusual properties of some potential M-type asteroids, including low thermal inertia and density. Our findings indicate that space weathering processes, including micrometeorite bombardment and solar wind irradiation, conceal the real surface signatures of M-type asteroids. Furthermore, the presence of He and Ge alloy on the metal grain suggests that M-type asteroids are not only a large metallic Fe and Ni reservoir but also a potential source of noble gases and precious metals. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-8205 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
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| series | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-d21678d27eaa4a2b8698b37bd43b86d12025-01-22T17:29:47ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal Letters2041-82052025-01-019792L2610.3847/2041-8213/ada559Unusual Space Weathering on a CE-5 Metal Grain Indicates Deceptive Surface Signatures of M-type AsteroidsTian Zhang0Hong Tang1Xiongyao Li2Yuanyun Wen3Bing Mo4Wen Yu5Chuanjiao Zhou6Jianzhong Liu7Center for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, People’s Republic of China ; tanghong@vip.gyig.ac.cn, lixiongyao@mail.gyig.ac.cn; College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of ChinaCenter for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, People’s Republic of China ; tanghong@vip.gyig.ac.cn, lixiongyao@mail.gyig.ac.cn; College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of China; CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology , Hefei 230026, People’s Republic of ChinaCenter for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, People’s Republic of China ; tanghong@vip.gyig.ac.cn, lixiongyao@mail.gyig.ac.cn; College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of China; CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology , Hefei 230026, People’s Republic of ChinaCenter for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, People’s Republic of China ; tanghong@vip.gyig.ac.cn, lixiongyao@mail.gyig.ac.cnCenter for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, People’s Republic of China ; tanghong@vip.gyig.ac.cn, lixiongyao@mail.gyig.ac.cn; CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology , Hefei 230026, People’s Republic of ChinaCenter for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, People’s Republic of China ; tanghong@vip.gyig.ac.cn, lixiongyao@mail.gyig.ac.cn; CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology , Hefei 230026, People’s Republic of ChinaCenter for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, People’s Republic of China ; tanghong@vip.gyig.ac.cn, lixiongyao@mail.gyig.ac.cn; College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of ChinaCenter for Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang 550081, People’s Republic of China ; tanghong@vip.gyig.ac.cn, lixiongyao@mail.gyig.ac.cn; College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, People’s Republic of China; CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology , Hefei 230026, People’s Republic of ChinaM-type asteroids are historically thought to be exposed metallic cores of differentiated planets with a composition dominated by pure iron and nickel. However, recent spectral and radar observations reveal an insufficient number of M-type asteroids in the main belt. Here, we report unusual space weathering characteristics associated with a natural metal grain found in Chang'e 5 lunar soil. Microcraters, impact glass, iron whiskers, and unique vesicular rims on the surface of this grain help to explain the unusual properties of some potential M-type asteroids, including low thermal inertia and density. Our findings indicate that space weathering processes, including micrometeorite bombardment and solar wind irradiation, conceal the real surface signatures of M-type asteroids. Furthermore, the presence of He and Ge alloy on the metal grain suggests that M-type asteroids are not only a large metallic Fe and Ni reservoir but also a potential source of noble gases and precious metals.https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ada559AsteroidsLunar compositionThe MoonLunar surfaceAsteroid surfaces |
| spellingShingle | Tian Zhang Hong Tang Xiongyao Li Yuanyun Wen Bing Mo Wen Yu Chuanjiao Zhou Jianzhong Liu Unusual Space Weathering on a CE-5 Metal Grain Indicates Deceptive Surface Signatures of M-type Asteroids The Astrophysical Journal Letters Asteroids Lunar composition The Moon Lunar surface Asteroid surfaces |
| title | Unusual Space Weathering on a CE-5 Metal Grain Indicates Deceptive Surface Signatures of M-type Asteroids |
| title_full | Unusual Space Weathering on a CE-5 Metal Grain Indicates Deceptive Surface Signatures of M-type Asteroids |
| title_fullStr | Unusual Space Weathering on a CE-5 Metal Grain Indicates Deceptive Surface Signatures of M-type Asteroids |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unusual Space Weathering on a CE-5 Metal Grain Indicates Deceptive Surface Signatures of M-type Asteroids |
| title_short | Unusual Space Weathering on a CE-5 Metal Grain Indicates Deceptive Surface Signatures of M-type Asteroids |
| title_sort | unusual space weathering on a ce 5 metal grain indicates deceptive surface signatures of m type asteroids |
| topic | Asteroids Lunar composition The Moon Lunar surface Asteroid surfaces |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ada559 |
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