Measurements of Cosmogenic Nuclides in and their Significance for Samples Returned from Asteroids

Nuclear interactions of cosmic rays with matter produce cosmogenic nuclides (CNs). Ever since they were first measured nearly 50 years ago, cosmogenic nuclides have been used to infer the irradiation histories of terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials. Here we call for an extension of such measurements to samples returned from an asteroidal surface. The information gained in this way will be important for elucidating the evolution of the asteroidal surface. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.