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The stochastic evolution of asteroidal regoliths and the origin of brecciated and gas-rich meteoritesA model is constructed which views regolith evolution on asteroids as a stochastic process. Average values are shown to be poor descriptors of regolith depth. The utility of the average depth is not significantly increased by avoiding large craters or thick ejecta deposits, a procedure adopted in previous regolith studies. The statistical uncertainty associated with regolith depth severely limits the power of regolith models in predicting parent-body size for brecciated meteorites. A Monte Carlo algorithm was used to simulate the random walks and corresponding charged-particle irradiation histories of grains in regoliths. On rocky asteroids, only about 20 percent of the grains was exposed to solar cosmic ray ions. Results based on present-day conditions in the asteroid belt agree well with irradiation features observed in gas-rich meteorites. An origin during epochs of early solar system evolution is not required.
Document ID
19820009137
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Thesis/Dissertation
Authors
Housen, K. R.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Washington Advan. in Planetary Geol.
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
82N17011
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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