Analysis of faint absorption bands in the reflectance spectra of A-type asteroids

Faint absorption bands detected in the visible range of the reflectance spectra of A-type asteroids suggest a various mineralogical composition of their surface. From the analysis of these bands, we conclude that, on some asteroids of this optical type, both olivine and pyroxene are present, while mostly clinopyroxene with minor admixtures of Cr-containing minerals, presumably chromites, is on the surface of others. A new estimate of the forsterite content in the olivine of the asteroids 289 Nenetta and 446 Aeternitas (Fo ～ 50–60%) made by the absorption band near 500 nm in their spectra agrees with the estimate we obtained previously from the modeling of the reflectance spectra of the asteroid Aeternitas.     

The material of the interstellar dust and the surface of asteroids: A comparison of the spectral properties in the 0.3–1.1-μm range

From the data on bright stars of different spectral and luminosity classes from the 13-color photometry catalog, the selective extinction of light by the interstellar dust has been studied. The stars from the 1000-pc vicinity of the Sun were investigated. In the optical spectral range, the interstellar extinction curves show systematic deviations from the “λ^?1” law, which allows one to sort them into three types. The observed curves of the interstellar dust extinction were compared with the theoretical curves calculated from the reflectance spectra of the asteroids under the approximation of the Rayleigh particles. The calculated extinction curves for the surface material of D-type asteroids and the Tagish Lake carbonaceous chondrite agree rather well with the observed curves of the interstellar extinction of the first type.     

About mineral composition of geologic units in the northern hemisphere of Vesta

In the present paper we seek to understand the geologic diversity of units in the northern hemisphere of Vesta using HST observations (Binzel et al., 1997). First, we compare colors R(0.673 μm)/R(0.953 μm) and R(0.673 μm)/R(1.042 μm) of Vesta’s units with those of V-type asteroids (vestoids) as well as howardite, eucrite, and diogenite meteorites (HEDs). This comparative analysis showed that: (i) on the color-color plot, regions on Vesta are clustered whereas vestoids and HEDs cover a wide range in color; (ii) very few vestoids or HEDs fall into Vesta’s color region. This implies that Vesta’s units are more homogenous than most vestoids and HEDs examined here and material of the units are slightly different from that of vestoids and HEDs. Assuming reasonable choice of end-member materials, an optical model (Shkuratov et al., 1999) was used to simulate intimate mixtures of particles at the surface of Vesta’s units. Simulation of albedo, colors, and four-point spectra of Vesta’s units reveals that the rock-forming material is nearly equal for all units and has HED-like composition. Diversity of the units depends on the minor constituents such as chromite and a neutral phase. The western units contain more chromite and neutral phase than the eastern, consequently albedo of the western units is lower and their four-point spectra are flatter. Olivine and feldspar are also needed to give the best fit for the calculated and observed albedos and colors of Vesta’s units, but being in minor amount in Vesta’s rocks they play a secondary role in contributing to the optical properties of the units. Questions about the proportions of HED-like rock and the constituent called neutral phase remain open. Spectrophotometric studies of Vesta with both higher spatial and spectral resolution as expected from NASA’s Dawn mission are needed for resolving these problems.     

Titanium-bearing pyroxenes of some E asteroids: Coexisting of igneous and hydrated rocks

In this paper, we present arguments for the presence of optically active Ti³⁺ in the structure of low iron pyroxenes to explain the strong 0.49-μm absorption band in spectra of E[II] asteroids. Such an interpretation supports the idea that E asteroid material is formed at high temperature in a strongly reducing medium. We also discuss the possibility of high temperature and hydrated rocks coexisting on some E asteroids. Our discussion is based on the idea of collisional evolution of aubrite parent bodies that was presented by Keil (1989).     

Surface Pyroxenes and Olivines of S-Type Asteroids as Studied by Modeling Their Reflectance Spectra

We model the reflectance spectra of SI–SVII-subtype asteroids. The spectra of minor planets contain little information as regards the abundance of free metal and the form of its existence on the asteroid surfaces. We investigate the properties of a set of probable spectra for the surface pyroxene and olivine of minor planets. Clinopyroxene with high calcium and iron contents and orthopyroxene with a ferrosilite molecular content of about 40% are typical of the S-type asteroids. The subtype number of S-type asteroids can be correlated with the bulk pyroxene composition. The forsterite molecular content in asteroid olivine lies within the probable range 40–74%. The prevalence of pyroxene over olivine and feldspar in the computed compositions of S-type asteroids suggests the probable presence of basalts on their surfaces.     

Vestoid surface composition from analysis of faint absorption bands in visible reflectance spectra

Faint absorption bands in the visible range of the smoothed vestoid spectra have been found. The bands centered near 505, 530, and 550 nm are attributed to ferrous iron in low-calcium pyroxene and are typical for pyroxene-bearing vestoid surfaces. In accordance with characteristics of the faint absorption bands around 600 and 650 nm the studied vestoid spectra can be sorted into five types. Since the same absorptions are also seen in the laboratory spectra of the minerals and meteorites, which appear to be similar to vestoid material, spectral types of the vestoids can be related to their surface compositions. Regolith of the Type-I vestoids consists of pure low-calcium pyroxenes. Minor amount of olivine along with pyroxene appear to be on the Type-II vestoids whereas the mixtures of low-calcium pyroxene with minor chromite define the Type-III and -IV. The causes for the fifth spectral type in terms of minor mineral phases are unclear now. Simulation of the spectra of vestoids was employed to estimate content of olivine (∼6-12 vol%) and chromite (∼12-30 vol%) on their surfaces.     

Olivine of 446 Aeternitas As an Example of Olivines of A-class Asteroids

A reflectance spectrum of A-asteroid 446 Aeternitas was numerically simulated. Probable mineral composition of the asteroid surface (Px > Ol Met) and probable spectra of these minerals were obtained. Since the grain size of asteroid regolith is unknown, a method for estimating the range of the chemical composition of olivine is proposed. According to the modeled spectra of the asteroid olivine, the probable range for the concentration of the forsterite molecule is from 40 to 56 mol %. No analogues of the material of A-asteroids were found among differentiated meteorites.     

On the subsoil radon and neutron flux variations in the conditions of the Moscow syneclise on the eve of the earthquake in the Sea of Okhotsk on May 24, 2013

By monitoring the variations in the subsoil radon concentration in one of the geodynamically active zones of the Moscow syneclise, the effects are detected of changes in the stress-strain state of the Earth’s crust which predetermined the development of the processes that caused the deep-focus earthquake in the Sea of Okhotsk on May 24, 2013. The joint analysis of subsoil radon variations and neutrino flow variations measured in the same structural–geodynamical conditions support the previous data on the global character of the processes contributing to the preparation of strong and catastrophic earthquakes.     

Methods and statistics of TV observations of telescopic meteors

A review of TV and telescopic methods of meteor observations and of the problems of meteor astronomy addressed using these methods is presented. A meteor patrol developed at the Astronomical Observatory of Odessa National University and based on a Schmidt telescope and a TV detector is described. The meteor patrol allows meteor events to be recorded with a time resolution of 0.04 s. The investigated characteristics of the patrol are reported, and some aspects of the methods of observations and reduction employed are considered. The results of observations made during the period 2003–2004 are reported. A total of 368 meteors were recorded on 1093 individual frames during a total patrol time of 679 hours within a 36′ × 48′ field of view. The statistical data for meteor observations are reported, and classification of meteor images is presented. The specific features of some recorded meteor events are analyzed.