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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: 1 September 2019
22-Jan-2026 19:03 UT

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