Difference between revisions of "Regolith"
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| + | [[Image:126609main_image_feature_400a_ys_full.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Regolith visible on picture "Postcard Above Tennessee Valley"]] | ||
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'''Regolith''' is the layer of rocky or icy debris, [[sand]], and [[dust]] made by [[meteorites|meteoritic]] impact that forms the uppermost surface of planets, satellites and asteroids. It is a possible construction material in the form of [[sintered regolith]] [[universal bricks|bricks]]. Loose regolith may also be used as a [[radiation]] [[radiation shield|shield]]. | '''Regolith''' is the layer of rocky or icy debris, [[sand]], and [[dust]] made by [[meteorites|meteoritic]] impact that forms the uppermost surface of planets, satellites and asteroids. It is a possible construction material in the form of [[sintered regolith]] [[universal bricks|bricks]]. Loose regolith may also be used as a [[radiation]] [[radiation shield|shield]]. | ||
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| + | Landscapes with regolith formation have been found that look like they were shaped by the flow of water. Thoses formations were probably created by ''"gas-supported density flows"''. | ||
| + | <ref>How the landscape is formed to the shape of floods: [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mgs/sci/fifthconf99/6005.pdf THE COLLAPSE ORIGIN OF DENSITY FLOWS ON MARS]</ref> | ||
==Open Issues== | ==Open Issues== | ||
* How radioactive is regolith? | * How radioactive is regolith? | ||
* What are the compositions of the regolith near possible settlement sites? | * What are the compositions of the regolith near possible settlement sites? | ||
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| + | ==references== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
[[category:Geology]] | [[category:Geology]] | ||
[[category:ISRU]] | [[category:ISRU]] | ||
Revision as of 11:45, 11 September 2009
Regolith is the layer of rocky or icy debris, sand, and dust made by meteoritic impact that forms the uppermost surface of planets, satellites and asteroids. It is a possible construction material in the form of sintered regolith bricks. Loose regolith may also be used as a radiation shield.
Landscapes with regolith formation have been found that look like they were shaped by the flow of water. Thoses formations were probably created by "gas-supported density flows". [1]
Open Issues
- How radioactive is regolith?
- What are the compositions of the regolith near possible settlement sites?
references
- ↑ How the landscape is formed to the shape of floods: THE COLLAPSE ORIGIN OF DENSITY FLOWS ON MARS
