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Experimental investigation of the impact fragmentation of blocks embedded in regolith |
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| Authors: | Daniel D. DURDA Clark R. CHAPMAN Mark J. CINTALA George J. FLYNN Melissa M. STRAIT Anderson MINNICK |
| Affiliation: | 1. Southwest Research Institute, 1050 Walnut Street, Suite 300, Boulder, Colorado 80302, USA;2. Code KR, NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058, USA;3. Department of Physics, State University of New York—Plattsburgh, 101 Broad St., Plattsburgh, New York 12901, USA;4. Department of Chemistry, Alma College, 614 W. Superior St., Alma, Michigan 48801, USA |
| Abstract: | Abstract– We present results of a set of impact experiments designed to examine the effects of impacts onto rocky blocks resting on and embedded within regoliths. The targets were approximately 500 g granodiorite blocks, struck with one‐eighth inch aluminum spheres at nominal speeds of approximately 5 km s?1. The granodiorite blocks were emplaced in 20–30 grade silica sand to simulate an asteroidal or lunar regolith; block burial depths ranged from resting flush on the surface to submerged completely below the surface. We observe a trend for largest remnant mass to increase with block burial depth. Documentary still image and high‐speed video of the resulting block fragments and surrounding regolith reveal new insights into the morphologies of blocks and secondary craters observed on asteroids like 433 Eros. |
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