Rotation-Resolved Spectroscopy of a Very Young Asteroid, (1270) Datura

TL;DR

This study used rotation-resolved spectroscopy on asteroid (1270) Datura to investigate surface freshness and space weathering effects, revealing rapid spectral changes within 0.45 million years.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed spectral analysis of a very young asteroid cluster, showing rapid space weathering processes.

Findings

No significant spectral variation with rotation phase

The 0.95 um absorption band depth is similar to old S-type asteroids

Spectral changes saturate in less than 0.45 million years

Abstract

(1270) Datura is the largest member of a very young asteroid cluster that was thought to be broken-up 0.45 Myr ago. The light-curve and the rotation-resolved reflectance spectra (0.6 um - 1.0 um) were observed in order to find "fresh" surface. Our data show no significant spectral variation along the rotation phase. The depth of the 0.95 um absorption band, which indicates the degree of space weathering, was similar to that of an old S-type asteroid. This suggests that the reflectance spectrum in this wavelength range changes rapidly and saturates the depth of the 0.95 um absorption in less than 0.45 Myr in the main belt environment.