One of the signs of “space weathering” on the Moon, including the effect of the solar wind and micrometeorite bombardment, is the formation of nanophase metallic iron (np-Fe0) in the lunar regolith, which is observed in condensate films on the surface of regolith mineral grains and in agglutinate glasses. The results of pulsed laser experiments simulating a micrometeorite “impact” on a basalt target are reported. Iron nanoglobules structured into chains and most likely marking the front of the shock wave were discovered in its melt products. The experiments clearly showed that np-Fe0 may be formed without participation of a reducing agent, such as implanted hydrogen ions of the solar wind, as well as bypassing the process of iron condensation from shock-generated vapor. The similar np-Fe0 chain structures were detected in the impact glass of the lunar regolith.

中文翻译：

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月球风化层中纳米相金属铁形成的实验模型

月球上“太空风化”的迹象之一，包括太阳风和微陨石轰击的影响，是在月球风化层中形成纳米相金属铁 (np-Fe0)，在表面的冷凝膜中观察到风化层矿物颗粒和凝集玻璃。报告了模拟微陨石“撞击”玄武岩目标的脉冲激光实验结果。在其熔体产品中发现了铁纳米球结构成链，很可能标志着冲击波的前沿。实验清楚地表明，np-FeO 可以在没有还原剂参与的情况下形成，例如太阳风中注入的氢离子，也可以绕过冲击产生的蒸汽中铁凝结的过程。