near-Earth asteroid Archives

Principal component values for all six meteorites studied at different grain sizes are shown with the “α-line” boundary from DeMeo et al. (2009) that separates the S- and C/X-complexes. Grain size variations can be seen by using the dotted line interconnecting PC values of measurements of the same meteorite at different grain sizes. Marker size increases with grain size which includes values of 45-90 µm, 90-150 µm, 150-300 µm, 300-500 µm, and 500-1,000 µm. The Lunar-style space weathering trend from Binzel et al. (2019) is shown with blue dots and a corresponding arrow showing the direction of increasing space weathering. The carbonaceous space weathering trend from Lantz et al. (2018) is shown with the brown arrow indicating that the measured weathering trend would move in either direction depending on the meteorite composition. It also shows that differentiating between space weathering and grain size effects would be challenging in PC space. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report

Grain Size Effects on UV-MIR (0.2-14 micron) Spectra of Carbonaceous Chondrite Groups

by Keith CowingJanuary 22, 2024January 22, 2024

Carbonaceous chondrites are among the most important meteorite types and have played a vital role in deciphering the origin and evolution of our solar system.

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Press Release

Ancient Asteroid Grains Provide Insight Into The Evolution Of Our Solar System

by Keith CowingDecember 27, 2022December 27, 2022

The UK’s national synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source, was used by a large, international collaboration to study grains collected from a near-Earth asteroid to further our understanding of the evolution […]