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    Impact Science

    The table below outlines some of the expected phenomena from the SMART-1 impact and features/emission which can be observed in the visible and infrared wavebands.

    In the table:
    Visible = 300-900nm
    NIR = near IR = 1–5µm
    MIR = mid IR = 8–20µm

    Impact Physics - Impact Flash
    Timing: 200 ms
     

    Visible

    Infrared

    Mode Fast imaging Imaging & spectra
    Mbol = 11–16 mag
    Feature emission vs λ (Temp)

    -

    Impact Physics - Ejecta Blanket Size, particle size
    Timing: 0-few minutes for ballistic trajectories, depending on height
     

    Visible

    Infrared

    Mode Spectra & imaging

    -

    Feature extinction vs λ; transient blurring of lunar features by cloud

    -

    Impact release of remnant Hydrazine fuel N2H4 - Impact Flash
    Timing: 200 ms
     

    Visible

    Infrared

    Mode Spectroscopy Near & mid infrared spectroscopy
    Feature Hydrogen Balmer & Paschen Lines Brackett & Paschen NH3
    Lofted Lunar sub-surface Mineralogy - Evolution of Soil Plume
    Timing: 0-few minutes for dynamics; 0–400 sec 1% of ejecta reaches Sunlight?
     

    Visible

    Infrared

    Mode Low spectral resolution imaging & spectra NIR and MIR low spectral resolution imaging & spectra
    Feature albedo and color change (silicate mineralogy, particle size distribution) silicate mineral absorption bands (mineralogy, particle size distribution)
    Impact Crater size and properties - Impact Re-Deposited Soil Blanket (post-impact minus pre-impact)
    Timing: 0–30 days before & after, in Sunlit Moon
     

    Visible

    Infrared

    Mode Imaging & low res. spectra NIR & MIR narrow band imaging & low res. spectra
    Feature albedo change; reflectance colour of fresh ejecta silicate mineral absorption bands
    Lunar soil grain sizes and minerals - Long time scale cooling of ejecta blanket
    Timing: cooling over 0–4 hours
     

    Visible

    Infrared

    Mode

    -

    		 MIR imaging
    Feature

    -

    		 thermal conductivity of new regolith
    Lunar Surface Contamination from spacecraft - Spacecraft melting; new compounds?
    Timing: 0–20 seconds
     

    Visible

    Infrared

    Mode Spectroscopy NIR, MIR
    Feature Al (396nm), C2, C3 (from graphite melting) new carbon coating on dust?
    Exosphere - lofted gas
    Timing: 0–3 days
     

    Visible

    Infrared

    Mode Spectroscopy

    -

    Feature neutral Na, K

    -


    Last Update: 23 Aug 2006

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