Detecting Sub-Micron Space Weathering Effects in Lunar Grains with Synchrotron Infrared Nanospectroscopy

Space weathering processes induce changes to the physical, chemical, and optical properties of space-exposed soil grains. For the Moon, space weathering induces reddening, darkening, and diminished contrast in reflectance spectra over visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The physical and chemical changes responsible for these optical effects occur on scales below the diffraction limit of traditional far-field spectroscopic techniques. Recently developed super-resolution spectroscopic techniques provide an opportunity to understand better the optical effects of space weathering on the sub-micrometer length scale. In this talk, I will discuss our recent detection of sub-micron space weathering effects in mature lunar soils using synchrotron-based infrared nanospectroscopy at mid-infrared wavelengths (700–2000 cm-1; 5–14.3 μm). We will additionally explore the implications of these results, including how they may be used to guide future sample-return missions. There will also be memes.