NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0364
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0364 |
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PI: Cristina A. Thomas, Northern Arizona University, cristina.thomas@nau.edu
Address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, PO Box 6010, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
CoI: Andrew S. Rivkin, Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory
CoI: David E. Trilling, Northern Arizona University
Title: Confirming Q-type asteroids in the main asteroid belt
Abstract: The space weathering process and its implications for the relationships between S- and Q-type asteroids and ordinary chondrite meteorites is an often debated topic. Q-type asteroids have been shown to display the best spectral match to ordinary chondrites, but until recently were only known to exist in near-Earth space. While the Q- types and ordinary chondrites share some spectral features with S-type asteroids, the S-types have muted absorption features and significantly redder spectral slopes compared to the Q-types in visible and near- infrared wavelengths. We have completed a spectrophotometric survey of small Koronis family members in order to identify Q-type bodies in the main-belt (Thomas et al. 2011, Rivkin et al. 2011). Rivkin et al.\ (2011) identified several potential Q-type objects within the Koronis family. We propose here to obtain followup spectroscopy of two of these objects in order to confirm their taxonomic types and investigate the compositions of these bodies. These bodies will be among the first identified Q-type asteroids in the main-belt. These observations will provide valuable insight into the space weathering process and the processes that counteract space weathering in the main-belt.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0364 |
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