FIRST RESULTS from the RAPID-RESPONSE SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION of NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS USING UKIRT

M. Mommert, D. E. Trilling, D. Borth, R. Jedicke, N. Butler, M. Reyes-Ruiz, B. Pichardo, E. Petersen, T. Axelrod, N. Moskovitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using the Wide Field Camera for the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT), we measure the near-infrared colors of near-Earth objects (NEOs) in order to put constraints on their taxonomic classifications. The rapid-response character of our observations allows us to observe NEOs when they are close to the Earth and bright. Here we present near-infrared color measurements of 86 NEOs, most of which were observed within a few days of their discovery, allowing us to characterize NEOs with diameters of only a few meters. Using machine-learning methods, we compare our measurements to existing asteroid spectral data and provide probabilistic taxonomic classifications for our targets. Our observations allow us to distinguish between S-complex, C/X-complex, D-type, and V-type asteroids. Our results suggest that the fraction of S-complex asteroids in the whole NEO population is lower than the fraction of ordinary chondrites in the meteorite fall statistics. Future data obtained with UKIRT will be used to investigate the significance of this discrepancy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number98
JournalAstronomical Journal
Volume151
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2016

Keywords

  • asteroids: individual (near-Earth objects)
  • minor planets
  • surveys

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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