NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0503
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0503 |
|
PI: Faith Vilas, Planetary Science Institute, fvilas@psi.edu
Address: 1700 E. Fort Lowell Rd. Suite 106, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
CoI: Amanda R. Hendrix, Planetary Science Institute
CoI: Nicholas Moskovitz, MIT
Title: MMT UV/Blue Reflectance Spectra of PHA 163249 (2002 GT) Prior to NASA's Deep Impact Fly-By
Abstract:
The Deep Impact spacecraft is currently on course for a January 4,
2020, fly-by of the sub-km near-Earth asteroid 163249 (2002 GT). This
fly-by will provide high-resolution images to address a host of
scientific questions related to the physical, chemical and geologic
properties of small asteroids. Little is currently known, however,
about 2002 GT. As part of a coordinated campaign to characterize this
object during its favorable 2013A apparition, the last such opportunity
before the 2020 fly-by, we propose to obtain near-UV/visible
spectroscopy (3200 - 6200 Ang) of this asteroid, in order to constrain
its composition and investigate its level of space weathering. These
data will contribute to the interpretation of the fly-by images. This
program has broader implications for understanding a general class of
objects (100m to multi-km scale near-Earth asteroids) that are ideal
candidates for future spacecraft and human exploration. It also
augments previous work demonstrating that asteroid surfaces least
altered by space weathering potentially exist in the NEA population
(Vilas and Hendrix, 2012, ACM).
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0503 |
|