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Dark surfaces of asteroids and comets - Evidence for macromolecular carbon compoundsThe presence of very low-albedo material on the surfaces of some classes of asteroids (C,P,D) and most comets appears to be related to macromolecular carbon compounds on these bodies. Preliminary detections of an organic spectral signature have been reported for some asteroids. The complex refractory organics that occur in some meteorites are probably the material that makes low-albedo asteroids dark. Comet surfaces and ejected dust particles are also very low albedo, apparently resulting from the radiation processing of organic ices.
Document ID
19890057127
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Cruikshank, D. P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in Space Research
Volume: 9
Issue: 2, 19
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
89A44498
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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