Albedos and diameters of three Mars Trojan asteroids

David E. Trilling, Andrew S. Rivkin, John A. Stansberry, Timothy B. Spahr, Richard A. Crudo, John K. Davies

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

We observed the Mars Trojan Asteroids (5261) Eureka and (101429) 1998 VF31 and the candidate Mars Trojan 2001 FR127 at 11.2 and 18.1 microns using Michelle on the Gemini North telescope. We derive diameters of 1.28, 0.78, and <0.52 km, respectively, with corresponding geometric visible albedos of 0.39, 0.32, and >0.14. The albedos for Eureka and 1998 VF31 are consistent with the taxonomic classes and compositions (S(I)/angritic and S(VII)/achondritic, respectively) and implied histories presented in a companion paper by Rivkin et al. Eureka's surface likely has a relatively high thermal inertia, implying a thin regolith that is consistent with predictions and the small size that we derive.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)442-447
Number of pages6
JournalIcarus
Volume192
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2007

Keywords

  • Infrared observations
  • Regoliths
  • Trojan asteroids

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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