Abstract
We present observations of the binary near-Earth Asteroid (175706) 1996 FG3 in the 2-4. μm spectral region, obtained on multiple nights using the SpeX instrument on the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF). We find evidence for an absorption band of ~5-10% (depending on the night and details of continuum choice), diagnostic for hydrated/hydroxylated minerals on the asteroid surface. This demonstrates that the optical surface of 1996 FG3 has not been heated to dehydrating temperatures. Sample-return missions targeting 1996 FG3 will likely find relatively fresh areas for sampling.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 493-498 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Icarus |
| Volume | 223 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Asteroids
- Asteroids, Composition
- Asteroids, Surfaces
- Spectroscopy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science