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Grice AM, Stancil PC, Ghafariasl M, Singh S, Gamage S, Schaible MJ, Abate Y, Lang K, Orlando TM. Nanoscale characterization of space weathering in lunar samples. Sci Rep 2025; 15:301. [PMID: 39747394 PMCID: PMC11697568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-83392-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 12/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/04/2025] Open
Abstract
Nanoscale Fourier transform infrared (Nano-FTIR) imaging and spectroscopy correlated with photoluminescence measurements of lunar Apollo samples with different surface radiation exposure histories reveal distinct physical and chemical differences associated with space weathering effects. Analysis of two sample fragments: an ilmenite basalt (12016) and an impact melt breccia (15445) show evidence of intrinsic or delivered Nd3+ and an amorphous silica glass component on exterior surfaces, whereas intrinsic Cr3+ and/or trapped electron states are limited to interior surfaces. Spatially localized 1050 cm-1/935 cm-1 band ratios in Nano-FTIR hyperspectral maps may further reflect impact-induced shock nanostructures, while shifts in silicate band positions indicate accumulated radiation damage at the nanoscale from prolonged space weathering due to micrometeorites, solar wind, energetic x-rays and cosmic ray bombardment. Our observations demonstrate that space weathering alterations of the surface of lunar samples at the nanoscale may provide a mechanism to distinguish lunar samples of variable surface exposure age.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Grice
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - P C Stancil
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Simulational Physics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - M Ghafariasl
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - S Singh
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - S Gamage
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - M J Schaible
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Center for Space Technology and Research, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Y Abate
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - K Lang
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - T M Orlando
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Center for Space Technology and Research, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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