# Using Cosmogenic Lithium, Beryllium and Boron to Determine the Surface Ages of Icy Objects in the Outer Solar System

## TL;DR

This paper explores how measuring cosmogenic Lithium, Beryllium, and Boron in icy surfaces can help determine their ages, aiding understanding of the geological history of outer solar system objects.

## Contribution

It proposes a novel method using cosmogenic nuclide measurements to estimate surface ages of icy bodies, addressing current uncertainties in their geological timelines.

## Key findings

- Cosmogenic nuclide concentrations of a few parts per trillion indicate billion-year exposure.
- Future experiments require high sensitivity to detect these trace elements.
- Method could improve age constraints for icy objects in the outer solar system.

## Abstract

Given current uncertainties in the cratering rates and geological histories of icy objects in the outer solar system, it is worth considering how the ages of icy surfaces could be constrained with measurements from future landed missions. A promising approach would be to determine cosmic-ray exposure ages of surface deposits by measuring the amounts of cosmogenic Lithium, Beryllium and Boron at various depths within a few meters of the surface. Preliminary calculations show that ice that has been exposed to cosmic radiation for one billion years should contain these cosmogenic nuclei at concentrations of a few parts per trillion, so any future experiment that might attempt to perform this sort of measurement will need to meet stringent sensitivity requirements.