Visual Spectroscopy of Asteroids at San Pedro Martir

TL;DR

This study presents low-resolution reflectance spectra of four asteroids, revealing their probable taxonomic types and suggesting a possible Vesta origin for one near-Earth asteroid, using observations from the San Pedro Martir Observatory.

Contribution

First spectroscopic analysis of selected asteroids at San Pedro Martir, identifying their taxonomic types and potential origin, expanding asteroid spectral data.

Findings

Two Nysa family asteroids are likely F-type.

One Nysa asteroid is probably D-type.

Near-Earth asteroid Nyx shows V-type characteristics.

Abstract

We present low resolution reflectance spectra over the wavelength range 5000-10000\AA for 4 asteroids (3 belonging to the Nysa family and one near-Earth asteroid) obtained at the San Pedro Martir Observatory (Mexico) using the 2.1 m telescope. Though the limited wavelength range covered often makes a classification difficult, the analysis of the available data reveals that two asteroids of the Nysa family, (2007) McCuskey and (3130) Hillary, are probably of F-type and (3384) Daliya of S-type. Near-Earth asteroid (3908) Nyx (Amor asteroid) shows a spectrum, within the limits of our signal-to-noise ratio (S/N), consistent with a V-type taxonomic classification and may be a fragment excavated from Vesta by an impact.