SEARCH FOR AQUEOUSLY ALTERED MATERIALS ON ASTEROIDS

Abstract The analysis of visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra of C-class objects has revealed the presence of features that appear to indicate a history of aqueous alteration on their surfaces. This result can provide constraints on our understanding of the early Solar System. We have recorded spectra covering 0.48–0.92 μm for 29 C-class objects with orbital semimajor axes between 2.3 and 3.6 AU. About 70% of the observed objects show features produced as the result of aqueous alteration processes.

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