| Issue |
A&A
Volume 420, Number 1, June II 2004
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | L5 - L8 | |
| Section | Letters | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20040147 | |
| Published online | 14 May 2004 | |
Letter to the Editor
An R-type asteroid within near-Earth objects?*
Dipartimento di Astronomia, Università di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 2, 35122 Padova, Italy e-mail: [marchi;lazzarin;magrin]@pd.astro.it
Corresponding author: S. Marchi, marchi@pd.astro.it
Received:
10
March
2004
Accepted:
16
April
2004
We present visible and near-infrared spectroscopy of 2001 XR31, a previously unclassified small near-Earth object (NEOs). Its spectrum resembles that of basaltic body, with the distinctive 1 and 2 μm pyroxene absorption bands, similar to those found on V-type bodies. However, the spectrum of 2001 XR31 is somewhat peculiar and we discuss whether it can belong to another class of basaltic bodies, namely the rare R-class. If confirmed, this object would be the only R-type detected among NEOs so far. In the light of this possibility, we also discuss the relationships of 2001 XR31 with other main belt R-types and a possible explanation of its origin.
Key words: minor planet / asteroids / near-Earth objects
© ESO, 2004
Current usage metrics show cumulative count of Article Views (full-text article views including HTML views, PDF and ePub downloads, according to the available data) and Abstracts Views on Vision4Press platform.
Data correspond to usage on the plateform after 2015. The current usage metrics is available 48-96 hours after online publication and is updated daily on week days.
Initial download of the metrics may take a while.