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Overview of the Search for Space Weathering Signals on Bennu: One Rock Type, or Two?We report on progress in the search for signs of space weathering on Bennu. We provide an overview of the space weathering evidence to date, and summarize relevant findings from several ongoing parallel studies of surface processes and surface properties. We examine trends from these studies in the context of space weathering, and what is known about near-Earth asteroid surface maturation. Because Bennu is covered with blocks, boulders, and rocks of various sizes, our search for space weathering signals has inevitably led to a study of the properties of Bennu’s rocks. Our research question is – do Bennu’s bright and dark rock populations form a maturity continuum due to space weathering, or alternatively, do the bright and dark rocks provide compelling evidence for two distinct rock populations on Bennu? In particular, we present our best estimate of the sub-field-of-view OVIRS (OSIRIS-REx Visible and Infrared Spectrometer) spectral properties of the largest bright boulders and compare them with the darker materials on Bennu’s surface to see if the observed spectral and albedo differences are consistent with space weathering effects, or not.

Document ID
20190032604
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Clark, B. E.
(Ithaca Coll. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Ferrone, S. M.
(Ithaca Coll. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Kaplan, H. H.
(Southwest Research Inst. Boulder, CO, United States)
Zou, X.-D.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Trang, D.
(Hawaii Univ. Maui, HI, United States)
DellaGiustina, D. N.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
LeCorre, L.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Golish, D. R.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Li, J.-Y.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Ballouz, R.-L.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Hergenrother, C. W.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Rizk, B.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Burke, K. N.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Bennett, C. A.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Keller, L.
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Paris, France)
Howell, E. S.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Lantz, C.
(Observatoire de Paris Paris, France)
Barucci, M. A.
(Observatoire de Paris Paris, France)
Fornasier, S.
(Observatoire de Paris Paris, France)
Thompson, M.
(Purdue Univ. West Lafayette, IN, United States)
Michel, P.
(Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur Nice, France)
Molaro, J.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Jawin, E. R.
(Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC, United States)
Delbo, M.
(INAF–Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova Padova, Italy)
Simon, A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Reuter, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pajola, M.
(INAF–Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova Padova, Italy)
Lauretta, D. S.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
November 8, 2019
Publication Date
November 5, 2019
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
JSC-E-DAA-TN73855
Meeting Information
Meeting: Asteroid Science in the Age of Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx
Location: Tucson, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: November 5, 2019
End Date: November 7, 2019
Sponsors: Arizona Univ.
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNM10AA11C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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