2024/12/01 by P. M. Grindrod, I. J. Daubar, Benjamin Fernando +10 · 1 voice
Physics and Astronomy · #Albedo (alchemy) #Astro and Planetary Science #Astrobiology #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Ejecta #Event (particle physics) #Geology #Impact crater #Mars Exploration Program #Physics #Planetary Science and Exploration #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
paper · doi:10.1029/2024je008535
openalex publication_date 2024/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
Abstract Impact cratering is one of the fundamental processes throughout the history of the Solar System. The formation of new impact craters on planetary bodies has been observed with repeat images from orbiting satellites. However, the time gap between images is often large enough to preclude detailed analysis of smaller‐scale features such as secondary impact craters, which are often removed or buried over a short time period. Here we use a seismic event detected on Mars by the NASA InSight mission to investigate secondary cratering at a new impact crater. We strengthen the case that the seismic event that occurred on Sol 1034 (S1034a) is the result of a new impact cratering event. Using the exact timing of this event from InSight, we investigated the resulting new impact crater in orbital image data. The S1034a impact crater is approximately 9 m in diameter but is responsible for over 900 secondary impact events in the form of low albedo spots that are located at distances of up to almost 7 km from the primary crater. We suggest that the low albedo spots formed from relatively low energy ejecta, with individual ejecta block velocities less than 200 m s −1 . We estimate that the low albedo spots, the main evidence of secondary impact processes at this new impact event, fade within 200–300 days after formation.