I was wondering the same thing.
Perhaps, the deformation characteristics of the crater.
Though this would mostly have to the higher velocity of an object- what the difference between a same size object impacting at 20 km/sec at compared to 50 Km/sec.
On the Moon there variation in possible impact speeds, starting around the Moon escape velocity, so a little as 2.5 km, upward to say 80 or higher km/sec. The higher velocities would need to be comets.
One problem is we are unable to test impacts at higher velocities, though testing the difference between 2 km/sec and 8 km/sec is done. And therefore perhaps one could find information regarding the difference at these lower velocities.
Obviously on the ground, one look at the shock characteristic of the rock, though I don't know if these differences can be distinguished in increments of say of 5 or 10 km/sec. Or more crudely between 10 km/sec and 50 km/sec.
One problem with this kind of stuff is it could useful in making weapons- nuclear or others. The recent restriction of data of regarding the commonplace impacts in earth atmosphere of small impacter, may been related to this.
One would have mostly asteroid velocity impacts of these smaller objects, but rarely one would also get small objects impacting at very high velocities.
In other words our atmosphere can be laboratory for these higher velocity impacts.
Space/Science » in reply to re: But is it the right probe?
re: But is it the right probe?
The whole thread (34 posts)
- LRO 2 hours from Lunar orbit
- first images on the ground
- So how long do you think it'll be before we can get to Mars in under a week?
- Now in Orbit OK
- But is it the right probe?
- re: But is it the right probe?
- re: But is it the right probe?
- Impact debris...hmmm.
- re: But is it the right probe?
- That would be difficult, if not impossible, on any body that has no atmosphere (n/t)
- re: But is it the right probe?
- re: But is it the right probe?
- re: But is it the right probe?
- But is it the right probe?
