The OSIRIS-REx Visible and InfraRed Spectrometer (OVIRS): Spectral Maps of the Asteroid Bennu

TL;DR

The OVIRS instrument on OSIRIS-REx mapped Bennu's surface composition using spectral data from 0.4 to 4.3 microns, aiding sample site selection and providing detailed asteroid surface insights.

Contribution

This paper presents the design, capabilities, and initial spectral mapping results of OVIRS, a new instrument for asteroid surface analysis in the OSIRIS-REx mission.

Findings

Mapped Bennu's surface composition with spectral data

Detected a 5% absorption feature on dark surfaces

Provided high-resolution spectral context for asteroid studies

Abstract

The OSIRIS-REx Visible and Infrared Spectrometer (OVIRS) is a point spectrometer covering the spectral range of 0.4 to 4.3 microns (25,000-2300 cm-1). Its primary purpose is to map the surface composition of the asteroid Bennu, the target asteroid of the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission. The information it returns will help guide the selection of the sample site. It will also provide global context for the sample and high spatial resolution spectra that can be related to spatially unresolved terrestrial observations of asteroids. It is a compact, low-mass (17.8 kg), power efficient (8.8 W average), and robust instrument with the sensitivity needed to detect a 5% spectral absorption feature on a very dark surface (3% reflectance) in the inner solar system (0.89-1.35 AU). It, in combination with the other instruments on the OSIRIS-REx Mission, will provide an unprecedented view of an asteroid's surface.