Shape, regolith size and thickness, SMFe^0 content, and spectral type of Tianwen-2 target asteroid (469219) Kamo'oalewa

TL;DR

This study models Kamo'oalewa's shape, regolith properties, and spectral type using observational data and laboratory measurements, providing detailed physical and compositional insights relevant for sample return missions.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive physical and spectral characterization of Kamo'oalewa, including shape, rotation, regolith, and composition, based on modeling and laboratory data.

Findings

Kamo'oalewa's size is approximately 68 x 46 x 39 meters.

Regolith grains smaller than 2 cm cover over 93.8% of its surface.

SMFe0 content in regolith is estimated at 0.29 ± 0.05 wt.%.

Abstract

China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft will return samples from the near-Earth asteroid (469219) Kamo'oalewa. We previously reported that Kamo'oalewa develops an LL-chondrite-compositional, highly space-weathered surface. This study aims to estimate Kamo'oalewa's shape, regolith grain size and thickness, sub-micrometer iron (SMFe0) content, and spectral type. Using the lightcurve data and the Cellinoid model, we modeled Kamo'oalewa's shape, rotation period, and pole orientation. We then estimated its global distribution of regolith critical size using the balance method of gravity, cohesive force, and centrifugal force. Furthermore, in the temperature range of 253.15 to 473.15 K, we measured the thermal parameters of laser-irradiated LL chondrite powder that best matches Kamo'oalewa's spectrum, estimating Kamo'oalewa's thermal inertia and skin depth (lower limit of regolith thickness). Using the radiative transfer mixing model, we also estimated the content of SMFe0 in Kamo'oalewa's regolith. Finally, using the MIT online spectral classification tool for the laser-irradiated LL chondrite powder, we obtained a virtual spectral type of Kamo'oalewa. Our model gives a size of 68 m x 46 m x 39 m, a rotation period of 27.66 minutes, and a pole orientation of 134.7 degrees longitude and -11.4 degrees latitude for Kamo'oalewa. Regolith grains with a size <2 cm can remain stable over 93.8% of the global surface area of Kamo'oalewa. Laser-irradiated LL chondrite powder shows a low thermal inertia (95.5 to 135.1 J m^-2 K^-1 s^-1/2), corresponding to a thermal skin depth of 3 to 3.5 mm on Kamo'oalewa. An SMFe0 content of 0.29 +- 0.05 wt.% is required to match Kamo'oalewa's spectrum. The virtual spectral type of Kamo'oalewa is given as "Sqw".