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The composition of the Trojan asteroidsConsideration is given to the composition of those Trojan asteroids, Hilda asteroids and 944 Hidalgo with very low albedos and spectral reddening between 0.4 and 1.1 microns with respect to the C asteroids, termed RD objects. It is proposed that the albedo and reddening of these objects can be explained by the presence of very opaque, very red, polymer-type organic compounds structurally similar to kerogen, presumably resulting from Fischer-Tropsch-type reactions in the early solar nebula. The spectra and various mixtures of powdered montmorillonite, magnetite, coal-tar residue containing kerogen substances and carbon black are shown to provide a good match to the RD asteroid spectral properties. It is suggested that the nonsoluble carbonaceous residue may have required lower temperatures for its formation and preservation than carbonaceous materials in the carbonaceous chondrites and C asteroids, and thus explain the absence of RD objects closer than 4 AU from the sun.
Document ID
19800041106
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Gradie, J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Veverka, J.
(Cornell University Ithaca, N.Y., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
February 28, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 283
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
80A25276
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7606
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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