A new criterion for the identification of micrometeor impact sites on aluminized glass

A new criterion for the identification of true impact sites by hypervelocity space particles on aluminized glass specimens is presented. The basic method of detection of these impact sites lies in the examination of post‐flight specimens for new perforations in the aluminum covering, and more specifically for damage or fracture of the glass substrate beneath the aluminum coating. It is shown that micron size iron particles impacting at 2–5 km/sec will fracture aluminum coated glass in a typically conchoidal pattern. Although bearing in mind that the method is limited to examination of impacts by solid, structurally strong particles, this effect can serve as a criterion in the analysis of suspected hypervelocity space impacts. Absence of this fracture betrays the fact that the impacting particle lacked the structural strength, mass, or velocity needed to fracture the glass.