Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996dps....28.1017b&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #28, #10.17; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 28, p.1099
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
1
Scientific paper
Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) represent the smallest diameter objects which are accessible for physical studies by ground based telescopes. During the course of our Small Main-Belt Asteroid Spectroscopic Survey (SMASS) program, we have observed more than 50 near-Earth asteroids as targets of opportunity. Typical diameters for our observed NEAs are < 3 km. The wavelength coverage of our measurements is approximately 0.4-1.0 microns. Within our NEA sample, we find at least six objects whose spectra are an excellent match with laboratory spectra for ordinary chondrite meteorites, thus revealing many new potential ordinary chondrite source bodies in the NEA population (Binzel et al. 1996, Science 273, 946). In addition to finding ordinary chondrite-like asteroids, we also find that the spectral properties of many small NEAs span the range previously separating S-class asteroids and the Q-class asteroids (as defined by 1862 Apollo). If 1862 Apollo and our newly observed subset of NEAs are indeed asteroidal analogs for ordinary chondrites, then the newly discovered continuum of spectral properties between S asteroids and ordinary chondrites is evidence for a physical link between these two classes of objects. However, the observational evidence for such a link is circumstantial and does not indicate the process that is responsible. Possible explanations for seeing this continuous range of spectral properties among the smallest asteroids observed to date include a range of mineralogies, diversity in regolith particle sizes, and/or a time dependent space weathering effect.
Binzel Richard P.
Burbine Thomas H.
Bus Schelte J.
Sunshine Jessica M.
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