Impact Science
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: 1 September 2019