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Spectroscopy and Photometry of Mars TrojansMars is the only terrestrial planet known to have co-orbiting Trojan asteroids. We have obtained visible and near-IR reflectance spectra of three of these objects: 5261 Eureka and 1998 VF31 in the L5 region and 1999 UJ7 in the LA region. We also obtained JHK spectrophotometry and a visible lightcurve for 5261 Eureka. The asteroid 5261 Eureka has a visible spectrum that is classified as Sr in the Bus taxonomy, and has infrared colors consistent with the A-class asteroids. The data for 1998 VF31 have a restricted wavelength range, but are most consistent with the Sr or Sa class, though we note a marginal consistency with the D class. We can rule out a C-class classification. 1999 UJ7 has an X-class or T-class spectrum, which is unlike that of the other two Mars Trojans. The photometric data for Eureka are limited, but we can constrain the period to longer than 5 hours (likely 5.5-6 hours) and lightcurve amplitude of at least 0.15 magnitude at this viewing geometry. The spectral differences among the Mars Trojans suggests that either they did not all form at their present solar distances or that they have not always been at their present sizes.
Document ID
20050041668
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Rivkin, A. S.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Binzel, R. P.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Howell, E. S.
(Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory Arecibo, Puerto Rico)
Bus, S. J.
(Hawaii Univ. Hilo, HI, United States)
Grier, J. A.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus 165
Publisher: Elsevier, Inc.
ISSN: 0019-1035
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-10604
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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