Space Weathering on Mercury: Simulation of Plagioclase Weathering

Space weathering is a process to explain optical property changes such as darkening, reddening, and attenuation of absorption bands on airless silicate bodies. The space weathering is caused by the formation of nanophase metallic iron particles in amorphous surface coatings from the deposition of ferrous silicate vapor, which was formed by high velocity dust impacts as well as irradiation of the solar wind ions. Nanophase iron particles have been confirmed in the lunar soil coating [1]. Moreover, experimental studies using pulse laser showed the formation of nanophase ion particles on the surface should control the spectral darkening and reddening (Fig. 1) [2].