Mineralogy and Surface Composition of Asteroids

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in spectroscopic methods for determining asteroid surface mineralogy, highlighting improved calibration, validation, and interpretation techniques, while discussing remaining challenges in analyzing featureless spectra.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of current mineralogical interpretive tools and outlines procedures for their application in asteroid surface analysis.

Findings

Improved spectral calibration and validation methods.

Quantification of spectral effects reduces non-compositional discrepancies.

Challenges remain in interpreting featureless asteroid spectra.

Abstract

Methods to constrain the surface mineralogy of asteroids have seen considerable development during the last decade with advancement in laboratory spectral calibrations and validation of our interpretive methodologies by spacecraft rendezvous missions. This has enabled the accurate identification of several meteorite parent bodies in the main asteroid belt and helped constrain the mineral chemistries and abundances in ordinary chondrites and basaltic achondrites. With better quantification of spectral effects due to temperature, phase angle, and grain size, systematic discrepancies due to non-compositional factors can now be virtually eliminated for mafic silicate-bearing asteroids. Interpretation of spectrally featureless asteroids remains a challenge. This paper presents a review of all mineralogical interpretive tools currently in use and outlines procedures for their application.