Earth-Bound Meteorites Born From Stony Asteroids (7 of 8) (IMAGE)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Earth-Bound Meteorites Born From Stony Asteroids (7 of 8)

Caption

Space weathering is the interaction between the surface of airless bodies and energetic particles, and modifies spectra of the airless bodies. A particle (lower right inset) returned from asteroid Itokawa has a double-layered rim containing Fe-rich nanoparticles (bright spots in this figure). Spectral modification is thought to be due to these Fe-rich nanoparticles on the basis of lunar samples studies. This image relates to an article that appeared in the Aug. 26, 2011, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. Takakki Noguchi of Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, and colleagues was titled, "Incipient Space Weathering Observed on the Surface of Itokawa Dust Particles."

Credit

Image © Science/AAAS

Usage Restrictions

Please cite the owner of the image when publishing. This image may be freely used by reporters as part of news coverage, with proper attribution. Non-reporters must contact <i>Science</i> for permission.

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.