A. Aronica | Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (original) (raw)
Papers by A. Aronica
Laboratory characterization of Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) collected in the lower strato... more Laboratory characterization of Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) collected in the lower stratosphere represents a concrete analysis of cosmic dust properties which played a fundamental role in the origin and evolution of Solar System. The IDPs were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) analyses and by InfraRed (IR) micro-spectroscopy. We present the FESEM images of six IDPs: three smooth grains, two porous and one a compact sphere. We also show the results of micro-IR transmission measurements on four IDPs that allowed us to identify their spectral class according to the criteria defined by Sandford and Walker. Only three of the analyzed particles show IR transmission spectra with a dominant "silicate absorption feature" so that they could be assigned to the three IR spectral classes: one has been classified as "amorphous olivine", one appears to be a mixture of "olivines" and "pyroxenes" and one belongs to th...
The Triple F (Fresh From the Fridge) mission, a Comet Nucleus Sample Return, has been proposed to... more The Triple F (Fresh From the Fridge) mission, a Comet Nucleus Sample Return, has been proposed to ESA's Cosmic Vision program. A sample return from a comet enables us to reach the ultimate goal of cometary research. Since comets are the least processed bodies in the solar system, the proposal goes far beyond cometary science topics (like the explanation of cometary activity) and delivers invaluable information about the formation of the solar system and the interstellar molecular cloud from which it formed.
The DUSTER (Dust in the Upper Stratosphere Tracking Experiment and Retrieval) project is aimed at... more The DUSTER (Dust in the Upper Stratosphere Tracking Experiment and Retrieval) project is aimed at uncontaminated collection and retrieval of stratospheric solid aerosol particles, in the submicron/micron range. The approach implies: 1) in-situ particles collection; 2) sample recovering; and 3) laboratory analyses, without sample manipulation among the three phases. The aim is to derive: the dust size distribution, the concentration and the mineralogy of stratospheric aerosols. Isotopic abundance can also be measured on single particles for the identification of parent processes. These data are complementary to in-situ measurements (particle counter, gas analyzer) and remote-sensing observations (spectrometer, LIDAR). Dust chemical composition and size distribution lead to the definition of the particles optical properties, essential not only to evaluate and model the radiation balance, but also to interpret optical counter, LIDAR and spectral data. The collection has also an astrophysical interest: the stratospheric aerosol extraterrestrial component will be analysed in laboratory. The DUSTER prototype had a qualification flight in January 2006. A miniaturised version of DUSTER is under realisation and will fly in 2008.
Abstract Context. The ESA Rosetta spacecraft will reach the short-period comet 67P/Churyumov-Gera... more Abstract Context. The ESA Rosetta spacecraft will reach the short-period comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. Orbiting strategy, orbiter safety conditions, landing scenarios and expected results from dust collectors depend on models of the 67P dust ...
Planetary and Space Science, 2014
The Mars Express mission was launched in June 2003 and was inserted into orbit around Mars in Dec... more The Mars Express mission was launched in June 2003 and was inserted into orbit around Mars in December 2003. Its main objective is to study the Mars' subsurface, surface, atmosphere and interaction with the solar wind. A secondary objective is to study the martian moons, in particular the largest one Phobos, thanks to a near polar and elliptical orbit which allows the spacecraft to perform close flybys about every five months. The Mars Express data not only consist of high-resolution 3D color images, but also astrometric images, spectra from 0.18 to 20 μm, radar echoes, Doppler signals from gravity experiments, and ion data. A new view of the moons has emerged from this data set, favoring now the idea that they are not captured asteroids, but rather the result of a re-accretion following a major impact on Mars. This unique set of data is available in the ESA Planetary Science Archive (PSA) and mirror imaged in the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS). This paper presents an overview of the Mars Express Phobos flybys, the specificities of their operations and the scientific achievements.
Laboratory characterization of Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) collected in the lower strato... more Laboratory characterization of Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) collected in the lower stratosphere represents a concrete analysis of cosmic dust properties which played a fundamental role in the origin and evolution of Solar System. The IDPs were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) analyses and by InfraRed (IR) micro-spectroscopy. We present the FESEM images of six IDPs: three smooth grains, two porous and one a compact sphere. We also show the results of micro-IR transmission measurements on four IDPs that allowed us to identify their spectral class according to the criteria defined by Sandford and Walker. Only three of the analyzed particles show IR transmission spectra with a dominant "silicate absorption feature" so that they could be assigned to the three IR spectral classes: one has been classified as "amorphous olivine", one appears to be a mixture of "olivines" and "pyroxenes" and one belongs to th...
The Triple F (Fresh From the Fridge) mission, a Comet Nucleus Sample Return, has been proposed to... more The Triple F (Fresh From the Fridge) mission, a Comet Nucleus Sample Return, has been proposed to ESA's Cosmic Vision program. A sample return from a comet enables us to reach the ultimate goal of cometary research. Since comets are the least processed bodies in the solar system, the proposal goes far beyond cometary science topics (like the explanation of cometary activity) and delivers invaluable information about the formation of the solar system and the interstellar molecular cloud from which it formed.
The DUSTER (Dust in the Upper Stratosphere Tracking Experiment and Retrieval) project is aimed at... more The DUSTER (Dust in the Upper Stratosphere Tracking Experiment and Retrieval) project is aimed at uncontaminated collection and retrieval of stratospheric solid aerosol particles, in the submicron/micron range. The approach implies: 1) in-situ particles collection; 2) sample recovering; and 3) laboratory analyses, without sample manipulation among the three phases. The aim is to derive: the dust size distribution, the concentration and the mineralogy of stratospheric aerosols. Isotopic abundance can also be measured on single particles for the identification of parent processes. These data are complementary to in-situ measurements (particle counter, gas analyzer) and remote-sensing observations (spectrometer, LIDAR). Dust chemical composition and size distribution lead to the definition of the particles optical properties, essential not only to evaluate and model the radiation balance, but also to interpret optical counter, LIDAR and spectral data. The collection has also an astrophysical interest: the stratospheric aerosol extraterrestrial component will be analysed in laboratory. The DUSTER prototype had a qualification flight in January 2006. A miniaturised version of DUSTER is under realisation and will fly in 2008.
Abstract Context. The ESA Rosetta spacecraft will reach the short-period comet 67P/Churyumov-Gera... more Abstract Context. The ESA Rosetta spacecraft will reach the short-period comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014. Orbiting strategy, orbiter safety conditions, landing scenarios and expected results from dust collectors depend on models of the 67P dust ...
Planetary and Space Science, 2014
The Mars Express mission was launched in June 2003 and was inserted into orbit around Mars in Dec... more The Mars Express mission was launched in June 2003 and was inserted into orbit around Mars in December 2003. Its main objective is to study the Mars' subsurface, surface, atmosphere and interaction with the solar wind. A secondary objective is to study the martian moons, in particular the largest one Phobos, thanks to a near polar and elliptical orbit which allows the spacecraft to perform close flybys about every five months. The Mars Express data not only consist of high-resolution 3D color images, but also astrometric images, spectra from 0.18 to 20 μm, radar echoes, Doppler signals from gravity experiments, and ion data. A new view of the moons has emerged from this data set, favoring now the idea that they are not captured asteroids, but rather the result of a re-accretion following a major impact on Mars. This unique set of data is available in the ESA Planetary Science Archive (PSA) and mirror imaged in the NASA Planetary Data System (PDS). This paper presents an overview of the Mars Express Phobos flybys, the specificities of their operations and the scientific achievements.