Compositional Characterization of the Near-Earth Object Population

Details Compositional Characterization of the Near-Earth Object Population Compositional Characterization of the Near-Earth Object Population

Feb 1999

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999noao.prop...37b&link_type=abstract

NOAO Proposal ID #1999A-0037

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Compositional characterization of the smallest observable solar system bodies, the near-Earth objects (NEOs), is required to resolve the fundamental question: ``What are the relationships between asteroids, comets, and meteorites?'' The scientific challenge of determining the origin, nature, and evolutionary history of the NEO population has been recently reviewed by COMPLEX. In noting that relatively few NEO observations are available for addressing this challenge, COMPLEX issued as their highest priority recommendation that relevant organizations should: ``Provide routine or priority access to existing ground-based optical and infrared telescopes and radar facilities for characterization of NEOs during favorable encounters.'' [COMPLEX 1998: The Exploration of Near-Earth Objects, page 2] Currently, most new NEO discoveries are in the V magnitude range 18-20, requiring the 4m for achieving characterization through spectroscopic measurements. This four semester (16 night) RCSP program will achieve compositional characterization for a sample of 100-200 NEOs. This significant sample size is crucial to achieve the science goals of understanding asteroid-comet-meteorite relationships through the investigation of compositional correlations with respect to size, orbital distributions, and meteorite samples. Detailed compositional correlations and contrasts with main-belt asteroids will further illuminate the origin and evolution of the NEO population.

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