A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Space Weathering Age of Itokawa and Eros by Machine Learning
Authors: Palamakumbure, Lakshika; Korda, David; Kohout, Tomáš
Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing
Publication year: 2026
Journal: The Planetary Science Journal
Article number: 65
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
eISSN: 2632-3338
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae4749
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.3847/psj/ae4749
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523364488
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Near-Earth asteroids such as Itokawa and Eros provide valuable insights into the collisional and surface evolution of the inner solar system. As S-type asteroids, their surfaces are altered by space weathering (SW) from solar wind and micrometeorite impacts. Because SW progresses over time, it serves as a proxy for estimating surface exposure ages, revealing resurfacing and geologic histories. This study estimates the SW ages at the present conditions of Itokawa and Eros using a machine learning model developed by L. Palamakumbure et al. The ensemble model was trained on laboratory reflectance spectra of irradiated silicate samples (olivine, pyroxene, mixtures, and chondrites) to capture spectral changes due to SW. Asteroid spectra were obtained from the Near Infrared Spectrometer (Hayabusa) dataset for Itokawa and the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NEAR Shoemaker) dataset for Eros via NASA Planetary Data System. SW ages for Itokawa range from 1.9 kyr to 2.5 Gyr, reflecting alteration from both solar wind and micrometeorite impacts. Eros, in contrast, shows older SW ages (0.4 to 2 Gyr), dominated by micrometeorite effects. These results align with previous studies and Hayabusa sample analyses, confirming Itokawa’s young surfaces are influenced by solar wind, with older, less disturbed regions such as Arcoona. Eros displays more uniformly mature surfaces, with localized relatively young areas linked to cratering or regolith movement. The contrasting SW ages highlight how asteroid size, regolith behavior, and orbital characteristics influence SW processes. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of machine learning for reconstructing surface exposure histories on airless bodies.
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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Doctoral program of the University of Helsinki and the institutional support RVO 67985831 of the Institute of Geology of the Czech Academy of Science. The open access publication cost was funded by Helsinki University Library.