Visible spectroscopy from the Mission Accessible Near-Earth Object Survey (MANOS): Taxonomic dependence on asteroid size

TL;DR

This study presents the first results of the MANOS visible spectroscopic survey of small NEOs, revealing size-dependent variations in asteroid taxonomy and suggesting planetary encounters influence asteroid surface properties.

Contribution

It provides the first taxonomic distribution of small NEOs from MANOS, highlighting size-dependent differences and the influence of planetary encounters on asteroid taxonomy.

Findings

Lower fraction of S+Q asteroids (~43.8%) in small NEOs compared to larger objects.

Higher fractions of X-complex and A-type asteroids (~23.8% and 3.8%) in small NEOs.

Strong correlation between Q/S ratio and perihelion distance, linked to Venus encounters.

Abstract

The Mission Accessible Near-Earth Object Survey (MANOS) aims to observe and characterize small (mean absolute magnitude H ~ 25 mag) Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) that are accessible by spacecraft (mean $\Delta v$ ~ 5.7 km/s) and that make close approaches with the Earth (mean Minimum Orbital Intersection Distance MOID ~ 0.03 AU). We present here the first results of the MANOS visible spectroscopic survey. The spectra were obtained from August 2013 to March 2018 at Lowell Observatory's Discovery Channel 4.3 meter telescope, and both Gemini North and South facilities. In total, 210 NEOs have been observed and taxonomically classified. Our taxonomic distribution shows significant variations with respect to surveys of larger objects. We suspect these to be due to a dependence of Main Belt source regions on object size. Compared to previous surveys of larger objects (Binzel et al. 2019, 2004; Perna et al. 2018), we report a lower fraction of S+Q-complex asteroids of 43.8 $\pm$ 4.6%. We associate this decrease with a lack of Phocaea family members at very small size. We also report higher fractions of X-complex and A-type asteroids of 23.8 $\pm$ 3.3% and 3.8 $\pm$ 1.3% respectively due to an increase of Hungaria family objects at small size. We find a strong correlation between the Q/S ratio and perihelion distance. We suggest this correlation is due to planetary close encounters with Venus playing a major role in turning asteroids from S to Q-type. This hypothesis is supported by a similar correlation between the Q/S ratio and Venus MOID.