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Internal structure and physical properties of the Asteroid 2008 TC3 inferred from a study of the Almahata Sitta meteorites |
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| Authors: | T Kohout R Kiuru P Scheirich R Macke |
| Institution: | a Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, 00014 Helsinki University, Finland b Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 269, 16500 Prague 6, Czech Republic c Astronomical Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Fri?ova 1, 25165 Ond?ejov, Czech Republic d Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 162385-2385, Orlando, 32816-2385 FL, USA e Vatican Observatory, V-00120, Vatican City State |
| Abstract: | The density measurements of Almahata Sitta ureilites reveal a bulk density of ∼3.1 g/cm3. This value, together with the 2008 TC3 asteroid shape model and albedo, was used to estimate the asteroid’s mass. Based on the study of recovered meteorites and atmospheric entry observations Asteroid 2008 TC3 is compositionally heterogeneous and of low mechanical strength. Thus we consider the presence of significant macroporosity likely, lowering asteroid’s bulk density compared to that of the Almahata Sitta ureilites. Most realistic albedos lie in a range of 0.09-0.2 and the presence of significant macroporosity leads to mass estimates below 20 × 103 kg, which is lower than previously estimated. The presence of a non-ureilitic fraction and space weathering may affect the albedo and also influence the mass estimates. However, from current data it is not possible to quantify this effect. |
| Keywords: | Asteroids Meteorites Near-Earth objects |
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