Laser space weathering analog experiments for micrometeorite bombardment and the question of simulation time

Space weathering (SW) on airless Solar System bodies is a critical process affecting the properties of surface materials. SW alters the spectral properties of surface minerals, which are investigated via remote sensing. Understanding the mechanisms of SW is therefore essential to correctly interpret measurement data and to reconstruct the evolution of these surfaces. One of the primary drivers of SW are micrometeorite impacts. To investigate the influence of micrometeorite impacts on various surface materials, numerous analog studies have been conducted over the past 30 years. A frequently used approach in these studies is the simulation of micrometeorite impacts using laser irradiation. Although it has been demonstrated that these analog experiments produce representative results, the actual time scales being simulated remain an open question. This matter is a fundamental issue, as SW is a time-dependent process. Therefore, this study presents a tool to calculate equivalent simulation times for such laboratory analog experiments. To this end, various parameters were gathered from the scientific literature and integrated into the calculation. These variables can be used in their current form or updated in the future when more precise data become available.