Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Jan 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996eiaf.conf....5b&link_type=abstract
Workshop on Evolution of Igneous Asteroids: Focus on Vesta and the HED Meterorites, p. 5
Mathematics
Logic
Asteroids, Craters, Meteorites, Meteoritic Composition, Space Probes, Vesta Asteroid, Solar System Evolution, Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Mission, Basalt, Polarimetry, Stellar Evolution
Scientific paper
The large asteroid 4 Vesta appears today as the most interesting target for a possible space mission devoted to main-belt asteroids. There are several reasons for this conclusion. First, this asteroid is known to exhibit a rare mineralogic composition. Its surface is basaltic and indicates a differentiated composition, implying a complex thermal history. The fact that Vesta experienced an early phase of melting during its history has strong implications for the present understanding of the history of the solar system. In spite of its relatively large size compared to the bulk of the asteroid population, it is not easy to explain an early melting of Vesta as the consequence of the decay of radioactive isotopes, since the expected amount of such elements in a body of this size seems insufficient to cause a global melting. An alternative theory is based on electro-magnetic heating during an episode of strong solar wind from the early proto-Sun when our star experienced a T Tauri phase, as predicted by modem stellar astrophysics. In any case, a close approach by a space probe could provide essential observational constraints in order to better understand the thermal history of this body. On the other hand, Vesta is very interesting from the point of view of the physics of collisions and the overall process of collisional evolution of the main belt. It is known that Vesta suffered very important collision in the past. This collision created a hemispheric-sized crater whose existence has been detected through photometric and polarimetric studies Subsequently, its real nature, that it is physically associated with objects derived from a common collisional origin, has been confirmed by spectroscopic observations, showing that the small family members share a basaltic composition with Vesta. The high ejection velocities imparted to the fragments from this event can have allowed a fraction of them to reach both the V6 secular resonance and the 3:1 mean-motion resonance with Jupiter. These resonances are known to be efficient dynamical routes leading to the inner zones of the solar system. As a consequence, we believe today that both the known V-type (basaltic) near-Earth asteroids (NEAS) and the basaltic achondritic meteorites (eucrites) found on Earth can derive from Vesta. In this sense, a comparison between the mineralogical properties of eucrites and those of V-type asteroids could provide invaluable information about the mineralogical variations induced by the exposure to solar wind and by the impact with the Earth atmosphere in the case of eucritic meteorites. For these reasons, an analysis of the Vesta surface as could be performed by means of direct observations from a space probe should be of the highest importance, and could also provide information about the probable age of the Vesta family. On the basis of the body of scientific evidence explained above, we suggest that a mission devoted to a low-velocity rendezvous with Vesta should deserve high priority in the planning of space activity.
Bussolino Luigi
Casaccit C.
Cellino Alberto
Dimartino M.
Sommat R.
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