Observations of X/M asteroids across multiple wavelengths

We have conducted a radar-driven observational campaign of main-belt asteroids (MBAs) focused on X/M class asteroids using the Arecibo radar and NASA Infrared Telescope Facilities (IRTF). M-type asteroids have been identified as metallic, enstatite chondrites and/or heavily altered carbonaceous chondrites [Bell, J.F., Davis, D., Hartmann, W.K., Gaffey, M.J., 1989. In: Binzel, R.P., Gehrels, T., Matthews, M.S. (Eds.), Asteroids II. Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 921-948; Gaffey, M.J., McCord, T.B., 1979. In: Gehrels, T., Matthews, M.S. (Eds.), Asteroids. Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 688-723; Vilas, F., 1994. Icarus 111, 456-467]. Radar wavelength observations can determine whether an asteroid is metallic and provide information about the porosity and regolith depth. Near-infrared observations can help determine the grain size, porosity and composition of an object. Concurrent observations with these tools can give us a wealth of information about an object. Our objectives for this observation program were to (a) determine if there are any consistent relationships between spectra in the near-infrared wavelengths and radar signatures and (b) look for rotationally resolved relationships between asteroid radar properties and near-infrared spectral properties. This paper describes preliminary results of an ongoing survey of near-infrared observations of M-type asteroids and is a companion paper to radar observations reported by Shepard [Shepard, M.K., and 19 colleagues, 2008a. Icarus 195, 184-205]. In the analysis of 16 asteroid near-infrared spectra and nine radar measurements, we find a trend indicating a correlation between continuum slope from 1.7 to 2.45 μm and radar albedo—an asteroid with a steep continuum slope also has a bright radar albedo, which suggests a significant metal content. This may provide a means to use near-IR observations to predict the most likely metallic candidates for radar studies.     

Asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36: Spectroscopy from 0.4 to 2.4 μm and meteorite analogs

We present reflectance spectra from 0.4 to 2.4 μm of Asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36, the target of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft mission. The visible spectral data were obtained at the McDonald Observatory 2.1-m telescope with the ES2 spectrograph. The infrared spectral data were obtained at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility using the SpeX instrument. The average visible spectrum is combined with the average near-infrared wavelength spectrum to form a composite spectrum. We use three methods to constrain the compositional information in the composite spectrum of Asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36 (hereafter RQ36). First, we perform a least-squares search for meteorite spectral analogs using 15,000 spectra from the RELAB database. Three most likely meteorite analogs are proposed based on the least-squares search. Next, six spectral parameters are measured for RQ36 and their values are compared with the ranges in parameter values of the carbonaceous chondrite meteorite classes. A most likely meteorite analog group is proposed based on the depth of overlap in parameter values. The results of the least-squares search and the parametric comparisons point to CIs and/or CMs as the most likely meteorite analogs for RQ36, and COs and CHs as the least likely. RQ36 has a spectrally “blue” continuum slope that is also observed in carbonaceous chondrites containing magnetite. We speculate that RQ36 is composed of a “CM1”-like material. Finally, we compare RQ36 to other B-type asteroids measured by Clark et al. (Clark, B.E. et al. [2010]. J. Geophys. Res. 115, E06005). The results of this comparison are inconclusive. RQ36 is comparable to Themis spectral properties in terms of its albedo, visible spectrum, and near-infrared spectrum from 1.1 to 1.45 μm. However, RQ36 is more similar to Pallas in terms of its near-infrared spectrum from 1.6 to 2.3 μm. Thus it is possible that B-type asteroids form a spectral continuum and that RQ36 is a transitional object, spectrally intermediate between the two end-members. This is particularly interesting because Asteroid 24 Themis was recently discovered to have H₂O ice on the surface (Rivkin, A., Emery, J. [2010]. Nature 464, 1322–1323; Campins, H. et al. [2010a]. Nature 464, 1320–1321).     

Mineralogical characterization of Baptistina Asteroid Family: Implications for K/T impactor source

Bottke et al. [Bottke, W.F., Vokrouhlicky, D., Nesvorný, D., 2007. Nature 449, 48–53] linked the catastrophic formation of Baptistina Asteroid Family (BAF) to the K/T impact event. This linkage was based on dynamical and compositional evidence, which suggested the impactor had a composition similar to CM2 carbonaceous chondrites. However, our recent study [Reddy, V., Emery, J.P., Gaffey, M.J., Bottke, W.F., Cramer, A., Kelley, M.S., 2009. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 44, 1917–1927] suggests that the composition of (298) Baptistina is similar to LL-type ordinary chondrites rather than CM2 carbonaceous chondrites. This rules out any possibility of it being related to the source of the K/T impactor, if the impactor was of CM-type composition. Mineralogical study of asteroids in the vicinity of BAF has revealed a plethora of compositional types suggesting a complex formation and evolution environment. A detailed compositional analysis of 16 asteroids suggests several distinct surface assemblages including ordinary chondrites (Gaffey SIV subtype), primitive achondrites (Gaffey SIII subtype), basaltic achondrites (Gaffey SVII subtype and V-type), and a carbonaceous chondrite. Based on our mineralogical analysis we conclude that (298) Baptistina is similar to ordinary chondrites (LL-type) based on olivine and pyroxene mineralogy and moderate albedo. S-type and V-type in and around the vicinity of BAF we characterized show mineralogical affinity to (8) Flora and (4) Vesta and could be part of their families. Smaller BAF asteroids with lower SNR spectra showing only a ‘single’ band are compositionally similar to (298) Baptistina and L/LL chondrites. It is unclear at this point why the silicate absorption bands in spectra of asteroids with formal family definition seem suppressed relative to background population, despite having similar mineralogy.     

Mid-infrared spectral variability for compositionally similar asteroids: Implications for asteroid particle size distributions

We report an unexpected variability among mid-infrared spectra (IRTF and Spitzer data) of eight S-type asteroids for which all other remote sensing interpretations (e.g. VNIR spectroscopy, albedo) yield similar compositions. Compositional fitting making use of their mid-IR spectra only yields surprising alternative conclusions: (1) these objects are not “compositionally similar” as the inferred abundances of their main surface minerals (olivine and pyroxene) differ from one another by 35% and (2) carbonaceous chondrite and ordinary chondrite meteorites provide an equally good match to each asteroid spectrum.Following the laboratory work of Ramsey and Christensen (Ramsey, M.S., Christensen, P.R. [1998]. J. Geophys. Res. 103, 577-596), we interpret this variability to be physically caused by differences in surface particle size and/or the effect of space weathering processes. Our results suggest that the observed asteroids must be covered with very fine (<5 μm) dust that masks some major and most minor spectral features. We speculate that the compositional analysis may be improved with a spectral library containing a wide variety of well characterized spectra (e.g., olivine, orthopyroxene, feldspar, iron, etc.) obtained from very fine powders. In addition to the grain size effect, space weathering processes may contribute as well to the reduction of the spectral contrast. This can be directly tested via new laboratory irradiation experiments.     

Spectral observations of 19 weathered and 23 fresh NEAs and their correlations with orbital parameters

Results of our visible to near-infrared spectrophotometric observations of 41 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) are reported. These moderate-resolution spectra, along with 14 previously published spectra from our earlier survey [Hicks, M.D., Fink, U., Grundy, W.M., 1998. Icarus 133, 69-78] show a preponderance of spectra consistent with ordinary chondrites (23 NEAs with this type of spectrum, along with 19 S-types and 13 in other taxonomic groups). There exists statistically significant evidence for orbit-dependent trends in our data. While S-type NEAs from our survey reside primarily in (1) Amor orbits or (2) Aten or Apollo orbits which do not cross the asteroid main-belt, the majority of objects with spectra consistent with ordinary chondrites in our survey are in highly eccentric Apollo orbits which enter the asteroid main-belt. This trend toward fresh, relatively unweathered NEAs with ordinary chondrite type spectra in highly eccentric Apollo orbits is attributed to one or a combination of three possible causes: (1) the chaotic nature of NEA orbits can easily result in high eccentricity orbits/large aphelion distances so that they can enter the collisionally enhanced environment in the main-belt, exposing fresh surfaces, (2) they have recently been injected into such orbits after a collision in the main-belt, or (3) such objects cross the orbits of several terrestrial planets, causing tidal disruption events that expose fresh surfaces.     

Near-infrared spectroscopic survey of B-type asteroids: Compositional analysis

We present near-infrared spectra of 23 B-type asteroids obtained with the NICS camera-spectrograph at the 3.56 m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo. We also compile additional visible and near-infrared spectra of another 22 B-type asteroids from the literature. A total of 45 B-types are analyzed. No significant trends in orbital properties of our sample were detected when compared with all known B-types and all known asteroids. The reflectance spectra of the asteroids in the 0.8–2.5 μm range show a continuous shape variation, from a monotonic negative (blue) slope to a positive (red) slope. This continuous spectral trend is filling the gap between the two main groups of B-types published by Clark et al. ([2010]. J. Geophys. Res., 115, 6005–6027). We found no clear correlations between the spectral slope and the asteroids’ sizes or heliocentric distances. We apply a clustering technique to reduce the volume of data to six optimized “average spectra” or “centroids”, representative of the whole sample. These centroids are then compared against meteorite spectra from the RELAB database. We found carbonaceous chondrites as the best meteorite analogs for the six centroids. There is a progressive change in analogs that correlates with the spectral slope: from CM2 chondrites (water-rich, aqueously altered) for the reddest centroid, to CK4 chondrites (dry, heated/thermally altered) for the bluest one.     

Search for relations among a sample of 460 asteroids with featureless spectra

We present an analysis of 460 featureless asteroid spectra in the range 0.5-0.92 μm obtained in the Small Solar System Objects Spectroscopic Survey. The spectra are described in terms of the continuum steepness (cSlope), its concavity (RRE), and the blue wing of drop in the UV reflectance (BD). Comparison with meteorite spectra confirms the link between CM meteorites and asteroids with asteroids with 0.7 μm band. Also, it is found that asteroids with extreme negative slope values may be related to CK chondrites and that asteroids with pronounced concave-down curvature are related to CO chondrites. An analysis of the distribution of the spectral parameters with semimajor axis, diameter, and albedo is performed.     

IRTF spectra for 17 asteroids from the C and X complexes: A discussion of continuum slopes and their relationships to C chondrites and phyllosilicates

In order to gain further insight into their surface compositions and relationships with meteorites, we have obtained spectra for 17 C and X complex asteroids using NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility and SpeX infrared spectrometer. We augment these spectra with data in the visible region taken from the on-line databases. Only one of the 17 asteroids showed the three features usually associated with water, the UV slope, a 0.7 μm feature and a 3 μm feature, while five show no evidence for water and 11 had one or two of these features. According to DeMeo et al. (2009), whose asteroid classification scheme we use here, 88% of the variance in asteroid spectra is explained by continuum slope so that asteroids can also be characterized by the slopes of their continua. We thus plot the slope of the continuum between 1.8 and 2.5 μm against slope between 1.0 and 1.75 μm, the break at ∼1.8 μm chosen since phyllosilicates show numerous water-related features beyond this wavelength. On such plots, the C complex fields match those of phyllosilicates kaolinite and montmorillonite that have been heated to about 700 °C, while the X complex fields match the fields for phyllosilicates montmorillonite and serpentine that have been similarly heated. We thus suggest that the surface of the C complex asteroids consist of decomposition products of kaolinite or montmorillonite while for the X complex we suggest that surfaces consist of decomposition products of montmorillonite or serpentine. On the basis of overlapping in fields on the continuum plots we suggest that the CI chondrites are linked with the Cgh asteroids, individual CV and CR chondrites are linked with Xc asteroids, a CK chondrite is linked with the Ch or Cgh asteroids, a number of unusual CI/CM meteorites are linked with C asteroids, and the CM chondrites are linked with the Xk asteroids. The associations are in reasonable agreement with chondrite mineralogy and albedo data.     

A coordinated spectral, mineralogical, and compositional study of ordinary chondrites

Mineral compositions and abundances derived from visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR or VNIR) spectra are used to classify asteroids, identify meteorite parent bodies, and understand the structure of the asteroid belt. Using a suite of 48 equilibrated (types 4-6) ordinary (H, L, and LL) chondrites containing orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and olivine, new relationships between spectra and mineralogy have been established. Contrary to previous suggestions, no meaningful correlation is observed between band parameters and cpx/(opx + cpx) ratios. We derive new calibrations for determining mineral abundances (ol/(ol + px)) and mafic silicate compositions (Fa in olivine, Fs in pyroxene) from VIS/NIR spectra. These calibrations confirm that band area ratio (BAR) is controlled by mineral abundances, while Band I center is controlled by mafic silicate compositions. Spectrally-derived mineralogical parameters correctly classify H, L and LL chondrites in ∼80% of cases, suggesting that these are robust relationships that can be applied to S(IV) asteroids with ordinary chondrites mineralogies. Comparison of asteroids and meteorites using these new mineralogical parameters has the advantage that H, L and LL chemical groups were originally defined on the basis of mafic silicate compositions.     

An investigation of the presence and nature of phyllosilicates on the surfaces of C asteroids by an analysis of the continuum slopes in their near‐infrared spectra

Abstract– To understand the nature of C asteroid surfaces, which are often related to phyllosilicates and C chondrites, we report near‐infrared spectra for a suite of phyllosilicates, heated to 100–1100 °C in 100 °C intervals, and compare the results for telescope IRTF spectra for 11 C asteroids. As C asteroids have relatively featureless spectra, we focus on “continuum plots” (1.0–1.75 μm slope against 1.8–2.5 μm slope). We compare the continuum plots of the 11 C asteroids and our heated phyllosilicates with literature data for C chondrites. The CI, CR, CK, and CV chondrite meteorites plot in the C asteroid field, whereas CM chondrites plot in a close but discrete field. All are well separated from the large phyllosilicate field. Heating kaolinite and montmorillonite to ≥700 °C moves their continua slopes into the C asteroid field, whereas chlorite and serpentine slopes move into the CM chondrite field. Water losses during heating are generally 10–15 wt% and were associated with a 20–70% albedo drop. Our data are consistent with surfaces of the C asteroids consisting of the dehydration products of montmorillonite whereas the CM chondrites are the dehydration products of serpentine and chlorite. The presence of opaque minerals and evaporites does not provide quantitative explanations for the difference in continua slopes of the phyllosilicates and C asteroids. The CM chondrites can also be linked to the C asteroids by heating. We suggest that the CM chondrites are interior samples, and the presence of a 3 μm feature in C asteroid spectra also indicates the excavation of material.     

Near-infrared spectral observations and interpretations for S-asteroids 138 Tolosa, 306 Unitas, 346 Hermentaria, and 480 Hansa

Near-infrared (∼0.7 to ∼2.5 μm) spectra of S-asteroids 138 Tolosa, 306 Unitas, 346 Hermentaria, and 480 Hansa suggest the presence of variable amounts of orthopyroxene ± clinopyroxene ± olivine ± plagioclase feldspar on the surfaces of these asteroids. The spectra of these asteroids were compared to laboratory mineral mixtures of orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and olivine [Singer, R.B., 1981. J. Geophys. Res. 86 (B9), 7967-7982; Cloutis, E.A., 1985. Master's thesis]. The band parameters (band centers, band areas) were quantified and temperature-corrected [Moroz et al., 2000. Icarus 147, 79-93; Gaffey et al., 2002. In: Bottke Jr., W.F., Cellino, A., Paolicchi, P., Binzel, R.P. (Eds.), Asteroids III. The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 183-204]. Each S-asteroid in this paper exhibits an overall spectral shape with band parameters that are inconsistent with ordinary chondrite near-infrared spectra and their inferred mineral abundances and/or pyroxene chemistries. 138 Tolosa displays a complex spectrum with a broad ∼1 μm absorption feature that displays a double Band I minimum, a well-defined absorption at ∼1.3 μm, and a broad, but weak absorption in the ∼2 μm region. Although different interpretations exist, the Tolosa spectrum is most consistent with a ∼60/40 mixture of Type B clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. Spectra of 306 Unitas suggest a surface with variable amounts of low-Ca pyroxene and olivine. Unitas is located in the S-(IV) and S-(VI) subtype regions in Gaffey et al. [1993. Icarus 106, 573-602]. 346 Hermentaria exhibits a complex, broad Band I absorption feature and a weak Band II feature, which suggests a ∼50/50 mixture of clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. Hermentaria is classified as an S-(III). Spectra of 480 Hansa suggest a dominant low-Ca pyroxene component with lesser amounts of olivine. Based on these characterizations, these four S-asteroids should not be considered as potential ordinary chondrite parent bodies. Furthermore, these results suggest that these S-asteroids experienced at least partial melting temperatures [T?∼950 °C: Gaffey et al., 1993. Icarus 106, 573-602; Keil, K., 2000. Planet. Space Sci. 48, 887-903] during the formation epoch in the early Solar System. Continuing spectroscopic investigations will discern the relative abundance of chondritic and thermally-evolved objects among the S-type asteroids that have survived since the formation epoch ∼4.56 billion years ago.     

Could G-class asteroids be the parent bodies of the CM chondrites?

Abstract— I review the dynamical and compositional evidence for possibly linking CM chondrites and asteroids having G-class taxonomic designations. Three G asteroids have been identified through previous theoretical studies as being likely meteorite source bodies due to their locations near resonances. Two of these objects, 19 Fortuna and 13 Egeria, have spectral properties that are consistent with such a linkage with CM chondrites. Fortuna has a similar strength 0.7 μm absorption feature and near-infrared spectral slope to CM chondrites but a weaker ultraviolet feature. Egeria also has the characteristic 0.7 μm feature of CM chondrite spectra but does not match as well in the near-infrared. However, since the 0.7 μm feature is apparent in the spectra of approximately one-half of measured C-type asteroids, no definitive statement about any linkages can be made. Ceres is spectrally different from known meteorites in the 3 μm wavelength region and cannot be convincingly linked with any meteorite group.     

IRTF observations of S complex and other asteroids: Implications for surface compositions,the presence of clinopyroxenes,and their relationship to meteorites

Abstract– We have obtained near‐infrared spectra for near‐Earth asteroids (NEA) and Main Belt asteroids by using NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility. Most of the S complex classes of the Tholen‐Bus‐DeMeo scheme and the S(I)–S(VII) classes are represented. To help interpret the results, we examined visible/near‐IR spectra for ordinary chondrites. The unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (UOC) spectra contain a 2.3 μm feature which is absent in the spectra of the equilibrated ordinary chondrites (EOC). On the basis of literature data and new spectra low‐Ca clinopyroxenes, we suggest that the 2.3 μm in UOC is due to the presence of low‐Ca clinopyroxene in the UOC which is absent in EOC. While this difference can be seen in the raw spectra, we confirmed this observation using a modified Gaussian model (MGM) for spectral analysis. Both the UOC and the EOC plot in the S(IV) field of the band area ratio plot for asteroids. We suggest that many or most S(IV) asteroids have material resembling UOC on their surfaces. An internally heated ordinary chondrite parent object would have EOC material at depth and UOC material on the surface. Cosmic ray exposure ages, and K‐Ar ages for L chondrites, indicate that most EOC came from relatively few objects; however, the age distributions for UOC are unlike those of EOC. We suggest that while EOC come from the interiors of a limited number of S(IV) asteroids, the UOC come from the surfaces of a large number of S(IV) asteroids.     

Constraining albedo,diameter and composition of near-Earth asteroids via near-infrared spectroscopy

We present a method to constrain the albedo and diameters of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) based on thermal flux in their near-infrared spectra (0.7–2.5 μm) using the Standard Thermal Model. Near-infrared spectra obtained with the SpeX instrument on NASA Infrared Telescope Facility are used to estimate the albedo and diameters of 12 NEAs (1992 JE, 1992 UY4, 1999 JD6, 2004 XP14, 2005 YY93, 2007 DS84, 2005 AD13, 2005 WJ56, 1999 JM8, 2005 RC34, 2003 YE45, and 2008 QS11). Albedo estimates were compared with average albedo for various taxonomic classes outlined by Thomas et al. (Thomas, C.A. et al. [2011]. Astron. J. 142(3)) and are consistent with their results. Spectral band parameters, like band centers, are derived and compared to spectra of laboratory mineral mixtures and meteorites to constrain their composition and possible meteorite analogs. Based on our study we estimate the albedos and diameters of these NEAs and compare them with those obtained by other techniques such as ground-based mid-infrared, Spitzer thermal infrared and Arecibo radar. Our results are broadly consistent with the results from other direct methods like radar. Determining the compositions of low albedo asteroids is a challenge due to the lack of deep silicate absorption features. However, based on weak absorption features and albedo, we suggest possible meteorite analogs for these NEAs, which include black chondrites, CM2 carbonaceous chondrites and enstatite achondrites. We did not find any specific trends in albedo and composition among the asteroids we observed.     

Near-infrared spectroscopy of primitive asteroid families

We compare 13 near-infrared (0.8-2.4 μm) spectra of two low albedo C complex outer-belt asteroid families: Themis and Veritas. The disruption ages of these two families lie at opposite extremes: 2.5 ± 1.0 Gyr and 8.7 ± 1.7 Myr, respectively. We found striking differences between the two families, which show a range of spectral shapes and slopes. The seven Themis family members (older surfaces) have “red” (positive) slopes in the 1.6-2.4 μm region; in contrast, the six Veritas members (younger surfaces) have significantly “flatter” slopes at these same wavelengths. Moreover, the two families are characterized by different concavity at shorter (1.0-1.5 μm) wavelengths with the Themis group being consistently flat or concave up (smile) and the Veritas group being consistently concave down (frown). Each family contains a broad range of diameters, suggesting our results are not due to comparisons of asteroids of different sizes. The statistically significant clustering of the two spectral groups could be explained by one of the following three possibilities or a combination of them: (1) space weathering effects, (2) differences in original composition, or (3) differences in thermal history perhaps as a result of the difference in parent body sizes. As a result of our analyses, we propose a new method to quantify broad and shallow structures in the spectra of primitive asteroids. We found reasonable matches between the observed asteroids and individual carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Because these meteoritic fits represent fresh surfaces, space weathering is neither necessary nor ruled out as an explanation of spectral differences between families. The six Veritas family near-infrared (NIR) spectra represent the first NIR analysis of this family, thus significantly increasing our understanding of this family over these wavelengths.     

A radar survey of M- and X-class asteroids II. Summary and synthesis

Using the S-band radar at Arecibo Observatory, we observed six new M-class main-belt asteroids (MBAs), and re-observed one, bringing the total number of Tholen M-class asteroids observed with radar to 19. The mean radar albedo for all our targets is , significantly higher than the mean radar albedo of every other class (Magri, C., Nolan, M.C., Ostro, S.J., Giorgini, J.D. [2007]. Icarus 186, 126-151). Seven of these objects (Asteroids 16 Psyche, 129 Antigone, 216 Kleopatra, 347 Pariana, 758 Mancunia, 779 Nina, 785 Zwetana) have radar albedos indicative of a very high metal content , and consistent with a remnant iron/nickel core interpretation (irons) or exotic high metal meteorite types such as CB. We propose designating these high radar albedo objects as Mm. Two asteroids, 110 Lydia and 678 Fredegundis, have more moderate radar albedos , but exhibit high values at some rotation phases suggesting a significant metal content. The remaining 10 objects have moderate radar albedos at all rotation phases. Most of our targets have visible/near-infrared spectra (Hardersen, P.S., Gaffey, M.J., Abell, P.A. [2005]. Icarus 175, 141-158; Fornasier, S., Clark, B.E., Dotto, E., Migliorini, A., Ockert-Bell, M., Barucci, M.A. [2009]. Icarus, submitted for publication) that indicate the presence of at least some silicate phases. All of the non-Mm asteroids show a positive correlation between visual and radar albedo but the reasons for this are not clear. All of the higher radar albedo targets (the 7 Mm asteroids, Lydia, and Fredegundis) show moderate to large variations in radar albedo with rotation phase. We suggest that their high radar reflectivity exaggerates irregularities in the asteroid shape to cause this behavior. One-third of our targets show evidence for asteroid-scale concavities or bifurcation. Based on all the evidence available, we suggest that most Tholen M-class asteroids are not remnant iron cores or enstatite chondrites, but rather collisional composites of silicates and irons with compositions more analogous to stony-iron meteorites and high-iron carbonaceous chondrites.     

Small Main-Belt Asteroid Spectroscopic Survey in the Near-Infrared

Near-infrared spectra (∼0.90 to ∼1.65 μm) are presented for 181 main-belt asteroids, more than half having diameters less than 20 km. These spectra were measured using a specialized grism at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, where the near-infrared wavelength coverage is designed to complement visible wavelength CCD measurements for enhanced mineralogic interpretation. We have focused our analysis on asteroids that appear to have surfaces dominated by olivine or pyroxene since these objects can be best characterized with spectral coverage only out to 1.65 μm. Olivine-dominated A-type asteroids have distinctly redder slopes than olivine found in meteorites, possibly due to surface alteration effects such as micro-meteoroid bombardment simulated by laser irradiation laboratory experiments. K-type asteroids observed within the Eos family tend to be well matched by laboratory spectra of CO3 chondrites, while those independent of the Eos family have a variety of spectral properties. The revealed structure of the 1-μm band for 3628 Bo?němcová appears to refute its previously proposed match to ordinary chondrite meteorites. Bo?němcová displays a 1-μm band that is unlike that for any currently measured meteorite; however, spectra out to 2.5 μm are needed to conclusively argue that Bo?němcová has a surface mineralogy different from that of ordinary chondrites. Extending the spectral coverage of Vestoids out to ∼1.65 μm continues to be consistent with the “genetic” relationship of almost all observed Vestoids with Vesta and the howardites, eucrites, and diogenites. Eucrites/howardites provide the best spectral matches to the observed Vestoids.     

Regolith transport in craters on Eros

Images of Eros from the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft reveal bright and dark albedo features on steep crater walls unlike markings previously observed on asteroids. These features have been attributed to the downslope movement of space-weathered regolith, exposing less weathered material (Science 292 (2001) 484; Meteor. Planet. Sci. 36 (2001) 1617; Icarus 155 (2002) 145). Here we present observations of the interiors of large craters (>1 km in diameter) to test this hypothesis and constrain the origin of the features. We find that bright regions in these craters correspond to steep slopes, consistent with previous work. The geographic distribution of craters with albedo variations shows no pattern and does not resemble the distribution of ponds, another phenomenon on Eros attributed to regolith movement. Shadows and other indications of topography are not observed at feature boundaries, implying that the transported layer is ?1 m thick. The presence of multiple bright and dark units on long slopes with sharp boundaries between them suggests that mobilized regolith may be halted by frictional or other effects before reaching the foot of the slope. Features on crater walls should darken at the same rate as bright ejecta deposits from crater formation; the lack of observed, morphologically fresh craters with bright interiors or ejecta suggests that the albedo patterns are younger than the most recently formed craters greater than about 100 m in diameter. Smaller or micrometeorite impacts, which would not necessarily leave evident deposits of bright ejecta, remain possible causes of albedo patterns. Although their effectiveness is difficult to assess, electrostatic processes and thermal creep are also candidates.     

Olivine‐dominated asteroids and meteorites: Distinguishing nebular and igneous histories

Abstract— Melting models indicate that the composition and abundance of olivine systematically co‐vary and are therefore excellent petrologic indicators. However, heliocentric distance, and thus surface temperature, has a significant effect on the spectra of olivine‐rich asteroids. We show that composition and temperature complexly interact spectrally, and must be simultaneously taken into account in order to infer olivine composition accurately. We find that most (7/9) of the olivine‐dominated asteroids are magnesian and thus likely sampled mantles differentiated from ordinary chondrite sources (e.g., pallasites). However, two other olivine‐rich asteroids (289 Nenetta and 246 Asporina) are found to be more ferroan. Melting models show that partial melting cannot produce olivine‐rich residues that are more ferroan than the chondrite precursor from which they formed. Thus, even moderately ferroan olivine must have non‐ordinary chondrite origins, and therefore likely originate from oxidized R chondrites or melts thereof, which reflect variations in nebular composition within the asteroid belt. This is consistent with the meteoritic record in which R chondrites and brachinites are rare relative to pallasites.     

Photometric analysis of Eros from NEAR data

A photometric model of (433) Eros at wavelengths from 450 to 1050 nm is constructed using the combination of the images from the multispectral imager (MSI) obtained during the one-year long orbital phase of the NEAR mission, ground-based lightcurves from earlier observations, and our theoretical forward modeling simulations coupled with the NEAR shape model. The single scattering albedo is found to be 0.33±0.03 at 550 nm, which is smaller than past findings by 30%. The amplitude and width of the opposition effect are 1.4±0.1 and 0.010±0.004 from ground based lightcurves. It is confirmed that the asymmetry factor of the single-particle phase function and the surface roughness parameter do not depend on wavelength from 450 to 1050 nm, and their values are estimated to be −0.25±0.02 and 28°±3°, respectively, comparable with the earlier measurements from the NEAR NIS data. The geometric albedo and the Bond albedo at 550 nm are calculated to be 0.23 and 0.093, respectively, which make Eros less reflective than previous models, but still slightly more reflective than average S-type asteroids. The lower albedos of Eros are more consistent with our forward modeling simulations, as well as with its spectrum. Eros is a typical S-type asteroid like (951) Gaspra and (243) Ida, and has similar surface regolith properties. Combining the single-scattering albedo with the olivine composition of ordinary chondrites, taking into account space weathering darkening, we constrain the grain size of the regolith particles on Eros to a range of 50 to 100 μm.