Can’t forget Icarus, the Solar-System-dedicated journal. Now, From June (v. 415):
Tang, Y. Lauretta, D. S. Ballouz, R. L. et al. Characterization of a mass movement site in Ben… a 116056 .2024.116056
Smirnov, E. A. A comparative analysis of machine learning classifiers in the classification of … a 116058 .2024.116058
Macías Canizares, A. Berisford, D. F. Goldstein, D. et al. Topography formation driven by su… a 116043 .2024.116043
Zambrano-Marín, L. F. Howell, E. S. Marshall, S. E. et al. The Fastest Rotators: Near-Earth … a 116060 .2024.116060
Rubino, S. Leroux, H. Lantz, C. et al. Space-weathering induced changes in hydrated silica … a 116070 .2024.116070
Belousov, D. V. Pavlov, A.K. Cometary outbursts in the Oort cloud a 116066 .2024.116066
This month Icarus is the book of changes. Changes on Bennu, already an active asteroid; now reporting particle flow (“landslides”) first seen on Itokawa, hinting at more complex processing. Changes in populations, leading to bodies sifting through the Solar System and, in some cases, settling into special (commensurate) orbits versus the major planets. Changes in surfaces due to loss of material (“mass wasting”), here, volatiles driven off to space. Changes in the smallest asteroid size classes (few meters, down to ~1 m) due to centrifugal force: Zambrano-Marín report derived asteroid strengths approaching some of the weaker Earth rocks. Changes in composition, when the solar wind’s impacts of energetic particles (and in some investigations, the hydrogen content of that solar wind) alters the surfaces of exposed bodies. And changes in small bodies themselves, up to the point of total disruption: the energy flux of cosmic rays (no joke) is apparently enough to cause volatile buildup due to free radical reactions. Boom!
What’s the big deal, indeed. Dumb boring rocks, indeed.