Abstract
The NASA Discovery Deep Impact mission involves a unique experiment designed to excavate pristine materials from below the surface of comet. In July 2005, the Deep Impact (DI) spacecraft, will release a 360 kg probe that will collide with comet 9P/Tempel 1. This collision will excavate pristine materials from depth and produce a crater whose size and appearance will provide fundamental insights into the nature and physical properties of the upper 20 to 40 m. Laboratory impact experiments performed at the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range at NASA Ames Research Center were designed to assess the range of possible outcomes for a wide range of target types and impact angles. Although all experiments were performed under terrestrial gravity, key scaling relations and processes allow first-order extrapolations to Tempel 1. If gravity-scaling relations apply (weakly bonded particulate near-surface), the DI impact could create a crater 70m to 140m in diameter, depending on the scaling relation applied. Smaller than expected craters can be attributed either to the effect of strength limiting crater growth or to collapse of an unstable (deep) transient crater as a result of very high porosity and compressibility. Larger then expected craters could indicate unusually low density (<0.3 g cm−3) or backpressures from expanding vapor. Consequently, final crater size or depth may not uniquely establish the physical nature of the upper 20m of the comet. But the observed ejecta curtain angles and crater morphology will help resolve this ambiguity. Moreover, the intensity and decay of the impact “flash” as observed from Earth, space probes, or the accompanying DI flyby instruments should provide critical data that will further resolve ambiguities.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Adams, M. A., Schultz, P. H., Sugita, S., and Goguen, J. D.: 1997, Lunar Planet. Sci. XXVIII, Abstract, p. 3.
A’Hearn, M., Belton, M. J. S., Delamere, A., and Blume, W. H.: 2005, Space Science Reviews (this volume).
Anderson, J. L. B., Schultz, P. H., and Heineck, J. T.: 2003, J. Geophys. Res. 108, E8, doi:10.1029/2003JE002075.
Anderson, J. L. B., Schultz, P. H., and Heineck, J. T.: 2004, Meteor. Planet. Sci. 39, 303.
Artem’eva, N. A., Kosarev, I. B. V., Nemchinov, I., Trubetskaya, I. A., and Shuvalov, V. V.: 2000, Solar System Res. 34, 453.
Boslough, M. B., Crawford, D. A., Robinson, A. C., and Trucano, T. G.: 1994, Geophys. Res. Lett. 21, 1555.
Brownlee, D. E. et al.: 2004, Science 304, 1764.
Chabai, A. J.: 1977, in Roddy, D. J., Pepin, R. O., and Merrill, R. B. (eds.), Impact and Explosion Cratering, Pergamon Press, New York, p. 1191.
Chapman, C. R. and McKinnon, W. B.: 1986, in Burns, J. A. and Matthews, M. S. (eds.), Satellites, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, p. 492.
Cintala, M. J., Berthoud, L., and Hörz, F.: 1999, Meteor. Planet. Sci. 34, 605.
Dahl, J. M. and Schultz, P. H.: 1999, Lunar Planet Sci. XXX, LPI, Abstract No. 1854.
Dahl, J. M. and Schultz, P. H.: 2001, Internat. J. Impact Engin. 26, 145.
Dienes, J. K. and Walsh, J. M.: 1970, in Kinslow, R. (ed.), Hypervelocity Impact Phenomena, Academic Press, New York, p. 45.
Eichhorn, G.: 1976, Planet. Space Sci. 24, 771.
Eberhardy, C. A. and Schultz, P. H.: 2003, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXIV, Abstract No. 1855.
Eberhardy, C. A. and Schultz, P. H.: 2004, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXV, Abstract No. 2039.
Ernst, C. M. and Schultz, P. H.: 2002, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXIII, Abstract No. 1782.
Ernst, C. M. and Schultz, P. H.: 2003. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXIV, Abstract No. 2020.
Ernst, C. M. and Schultz, P. H.: 2004, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXV, Abstract No.1721.
Gault, D. E. and Wedekind, J. A.: 1977, in Roddy, D. J., Pepin, R. O. and Merrill, R. B. (eds.), Impact and Explosion Cratering, Pergamon Press, New York, p. 1231
Gault, D. E. and Wedekind, J. A.: 1978, Proceedings Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. 9th, 3843.
Gault, D. E., Quaide, W. L., and Oberbeck, V. R.: 1968, in French, B. M. and Short, N. M. (eds.), Shock Metamorphism of Natural Materials, Mono Books, San Francisco, p. 87.
Gault, D. E., Guest, J. E., Murray, J. B., Dzurisin, D., and Malin M. C.: 1975, J. Geophys. Res. 80, 2444.
Holsapple, K. A.: 1987, Int. J. Impact Engin. 5, 343.
Holsapple, K. A. and Schmidt, R. M.: 1982, J. Geophys. Res. 87, 1849.
Holsapple, K. A. and Schmidt, R. M.: 1987, J. Geophys. Res. 92, 6350.
Housen, K. R., Schmidt, R. M., and Holsapple, K. A.: 1983, J. Geophys. Res. 88, 2485.
Housen, K. R., Holsapple, K. A., and Voss, M. E.: 1999, Nature. 402, 155.
Melosh, H. J., Artemieva, N. A., Golub, A. P., Nemtchinov, I. V., Shuvalov, V. V., and Trubetskaya, I. A.: 1993, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXIV, 975.
Nemtchinov, I. V., Shuvalov, V. V., Artemieva, N. A., Kosarev, I. B., and Trubetskaya, I. A.: 1999, Int. J. Impact Engin. 23, 651.
Nemtchinov, I. V., Spalding, R. E., Shuvalov, V. V., Artem’eva, N. A., Kosarev, I. B., and Popel, S. I.: 2000, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXI, Abstract No. 1334.
O’Keefe, J. D. and Ahrens, T. J.: 1977, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. VIII, 3357.
O’Keefe, J. D., Stewart, S. T., and Ahrens, T. J.: 2002, Lunar and Planet Sci. XXXIII, Abstract No. 2002.
Orphal, D. L.: 1977, in Roddy, D. J., Pepin, R. O., and Merrill, R. B., (eds.), Impact and Explosion Cratering: Overviews, Pergamon Press, New York, p. 907.
Piekutowski, A. J.: 1977, in Roddy, D. J., Pepin, R. O. and Merrill, R. B. (eds.), Impact and Explosion Cratering, Pergamon Press, New York, p. 67.
Post, R. L.: 1974, Rep. AFWL-TR-74-51, Air Force Weapons Lab, Kirtland, AFB, N. M.
Quaide, W. L. and Oberbeck, V. R.: 1968, J. Geophys. Res. 73, 5247.
Schmidt, R. M.: 1980, Proc Lunar Planetary Science Conference XI, 2099.
Schmidt, R. M.: 1977, in Roddy, D. J., Pepin, R. O., and Merrill, R. B. (eds.), Impact and Explosion Cratering: Overviews, Pergamon Press, New York, p. 1261.
Schmidt, R. M. and Holsapple, K. A.: 1982, in Silver, L. T. and Schultz, P. H. (eds.), Geological Implications of Impacts of Large Asteroids and Comets on the Earth, Geological Society of America Special Paper, p. 93.
Schmidt, R. M. and Housen, K. R.: 1987, Int. J. Impact Eng. 5, 543.
Schultz, P. H.: 1976, Moon Morphology: Interpretations Based on Lunar Orbiter Photography, University of Texas Press, Austin, 626 pp.
Schultz, P. H.: 1988, in Vilas, F., Chapman, C., and Mathews, M. (eds.), Mercury, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, p. 274.
Schultz, P. H.: 1992, J. Geophys. Res. 97(E10), 16,183.
Schultz, P. H.: 1996, J. Geophys. Res. 101(E9), 21,117.
Schultz, P. H., Adams, M. A., Perry, J. W., and Goguen, J.: 1996, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXVII, Abstract, p. 1149.
Schultz, P. H.: 2000, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXI, Abstract No. 2071.
Schultz, P. H.: 2001, Bull. Am. Astron. Soc. 33, 1095.
Schultz, P. H.: 2003a, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXIV, Abstract No. 2067.
Schultz, P. H.: 2003b, Sixth International Conference on Mars, Abstract No. 3263.
Schultz, P. H. and Gault, D. E.: 1979, J. Geophys. Res. 84, 7669.
Schultz, P. H. and Gault, D. E.: 1983, Lunar and Planet. Sci. XV, Abstract, p. 730.
Schultz, P. H. and Gault, D. E.: 1985a, J. Geophys. Res. 90, 3701.
Schultz, P. H. and Gault, D. E.: 1985b, Lunar and Planet. Sci. XVI, Abstract, p. 742.
Schultz, P. H. and Gault, D. E.: 1990, in Silver, L. and Schultz, P. (eds.), Geological Implications of Impacts of Large Asteroids and Comets on the Earth, Geol. Society of Amer. Spec. Paper. 247, p. 239.
Schultz, P. H., Orphal, D., Miller, B., Borden, W. F., and Larson, S. A.: 1981, in Merrill, R. B. and Schultz, P. H., (eds.), Proceedings of the Conference on Multi-Ring Basins: Formation and Evolution, Pergamon Press, New York, p. 181.
Schultz, P. H., Anderson, J. L. B., and Heineck, J. T.: 2002, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXIII, Abstract No. 1875.
Schultz, P. H., Sugita, S., Eberhardy, C. A., and Ernst, C. M.: 2004, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXXV, Abstract No. 1946.
Soderblom, L. A., et al.: 2002, Science 296, 1087.
Stöffler, D., Gault, D. E., Wedekind, J., and Polkowski, G.: 1975, J. Geophys. Res. 80, 4062.
Sugita, S., Schultz, P. H., and Adams, M. A.: 1998, J. Geophys. Res. 103(E8), 19,427.
Sugita, S. and Schultz, P. H.: 1999, J. Geophys. Res. 104(E12), 30,825.
Sugita, S. and Schultz, P. H.: 2003a, J. Geophys. Res. 108(E6), 5152, doi: 10.1029/2002JE001960.
Sugita, S. and Schultz, P. H.: 2003b, J. Geophys. Res. 108(E6), 5151, doi: 10.1029/2002JE001959.
Sugita, S., Schultz, P. H., and Hasegawa, S.: 2003, J. Geophys. Res. 108(E12), 5140, doi:10.1029/2003JE002156.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2005 Springer
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Schultz, P.H., Ernst, C.M., Anderson, J.L.B. (2005). Expectations for Crater Size and Photometric Evolution from the Deep Impact Collision. In: Russell, C.T. (eds) Deep Impact Mission: Looking Beneath the Surface of a Cometary Nucleus. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4163-2_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4163-2_9
Received:
Accepted:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-3599-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-4163-1
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)