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Utilizing Impact Experiments and 3D Scanning to Investigate Crater Scaling on M-Type Asteroids
  • Siobhan Light,
  • R. Terik Daly,
  • Andrew Knuth
Siobhan Light
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Corresponding Author:siobhan.light@jhuapl.edu

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R. Terik Daly
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
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Andrew Knuth
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
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Abstract

The upcoming Psyche mission, part of the NASA Discovery program, will investigate the largest known M-type asteroid, 16 Psyche. Previous research has suggested that 16 Psyche may be an exposed planetary metallic core. With cratering being a fundamental process in modifying the surfaces of all solid planets and satellites, one of the main objectives of the mission is to characterize 16 Psyche’s impact crater morphology. Consequently, in order to understand the cratering histories on M-type asteroids, it is essential to investigate how impact variables affect crater formation and crater scaling. We conducted experiments at the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range that formed hypervelocity impact craters in copper and aluminum blocks with different impact angles, impact speeds, projectile sizes, and projectile materials. In the experiments, impact angles ranged from 15° to 90°, impact speeds ranged from 1.91 km s-1 to 5.69 km s-1, projectiles were either 6.35 mm or 12.7 mm in diameter, and the projectile materials were aluminum, Pyrex, quartz, basalt, and serpentine. Afterwards, 3D scanning was applied to investigate the morphometry of the resultant experimental craters. We analyzed the scans to measure diameter, cratering efficiency, length, width, and depth variations within the craters. Additionally, the crater scans will be analyzed for their morphology, including their planform, slopes, and other asymmetries. From there, we will use pi scaling to develop crater scaling relationships that enable the results of this analysis to be used to interpret crater size and morphology on metallic asteroids. These results can help in interpreting craters on 16 Psyche and on other M-type asteroids. In turn, these observations will also help generate a richer understanding of the formation and evolution of our solar system.