Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996eiaf.confq...2b&link_type=abstract
Workshop on Evolution of Igneous Asteroids: Focus on Vesta and the HED Meterorites, p. 2
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Asteroids, Meteorites, Solar System, Vesta Asteroid, Escape Velocity, Hubble Space Telescope, Spectroscopy
Scientific paper
While the reflectance spectrum of Vesta has been known to match that of HED meteorites since the 1970s, establishment of a definitive link has long been the subject of debate. The principal obstacles have been establishment of the dynamical mechanisms by which (1) substantial material can be excavated from the surface of Vesta in light of its 360 meter/second escape velocity, and (2) dispersal of Vesta material from its orbital location to dynamical escape hatches capable of delivery to the inner solar system (such as the 3:1 and v6 resonances). Required ejection velocities from Vesta to the resonances are on the order of 1000 meters/second. Recent astronomical measurements have shown evidence that appears to overcome the dynamical obstacles. More than 20 small asteroids (5-10-km diameters) having Vesta-like spectroscopic properties have been found in the vicinity of Vesta. Such main-belt asteroids having Vesta-like spectral properties have been found only in the vicinity of Vesta, despite thorough sampling. The orbital distribution of these Vesta-like objects is consistent with their being ejected from Vesta through one or more major impacts. Hubble Space Telescope images of Vesta confirm the presence of a probable large impact basin. Perhaps most importantly, the distribution of the main-belt Vesta-like asteroids extends from Vesta to the 3:1, and possibly V6, resonances, thus demonstrating a dynamically viable route for samples from Vesta to reach the inner solar system and the Earth as meteorites. While the new astronomical evidence appears to demonstrate that Vesta can supply the HED meteorites, it naturally does not prove such a link. Current limitations for the model will also be discussed.
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