Micrometeoroid abrasion of lunar rocks - A Monte Carlo simulationA Monte Carlo computer model simulating the randomness of the impact process both in space and in time is developed in order to provide insight into lunar rock erosion by single particle abrasion and into bombardment history of fractional surface areas of lunar rocks. Microcrater frequencies derived from lunar rocks are used to calculate magnitude and probability of each cratering event, and experimental cratering results are employed to determine the eroded volumina for individual crater sizes. It is shown that a fractional surface area of a lunar rock sample may have a completely different bombardment history, and that the exposure histories and actual erosion depths of the surfaces vary accordingly and are highly heterogeneous. A minimum erosion rate of 0.3 to 0.6 mm for the past one million years is obtained.
Document ID
19750055621
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Hoerz, F. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, Tex., United States)
Schneider, E. (Lunar Science Institute, Houston, Tex.; Max-Planck-Institut fuer Kernphysik Heidelberg, Germany)
Hill, R. E. (Lockheed Electronics Co., Inc. Houston, Tex., United States)