Tomohiro Usui

The parent bodies of Ryugu and Ivuna formed before those of other carbonaceous chondrites

Most carbonaceous chondrite (CC) meteorites contain abundant chondrules, millimeter-scale spherical inclusions of previously molten material. Ivuna-type carbonaceous chondrites (CIs) do not contain chondrules, nor do samples of the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu. CIs and Ryugu share...

Effect of oxygen ion irradiation on the visible, infrared, and Raman spectra of Phobos candidate materials: implications on the space weathering by Martian atmosphere-derived ions

Abstract The origin of Martian satellites is still under debate. Nevertheless, such information could give insights into the evolution of the Martian system and planetary formation processes. To address these questions, MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) will conduct spectroscopy (v...