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Ancient asteroids enriched in refractory inclusions.

J M Sunshine1, H C Connolly, T J McCoy

  • 1Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. jess@astro.umd.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 22, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Asteroids rich in calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) may represent early solar system material. These undifferentiated asteroids offer a unique glimpse into the solar nebula

Area of Science:

  • Cosmochemistry
  • Planetary Science
  • Astronomy

Background:

  • Calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) are refractory mineral assemblages found in chondritic meteorites, representing early solar system condensates.
  • CAIs contain iron oxide-bearing aluminous spinel, which exhibits characteristic 2-micrometer absorptions in near-infrared spectra.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and abundance of CAIs in asteroids using spectral analysis.
  • To assess the potential of these asteroids as pristine samples of the early solar system.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of near-infrared telescopic spectra of asteroids.
  • Modeling of spectral data to determine CAI abundance.
  • Comparison of asteroid compositions with meteorite samples.

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Main Results:

  • Several asteroids exhibit spectral features similar to CAIs, indicating high CAI concentrations (approximately 30 +/- 10%).
  • These CAI-rich asteroids are significantly more enriched in CAIs than any known meteorite.
  • The asteroids are large (50-100 km diameter), undifferentiated, and show minimal post-accretionary alteration.

Conclusions:

  • CAI-rich asteroids may have formed before the incorporation of radiogenic 26Al, preserving early solar system conditions.
  • These ancient, less-altered asteroids are superior targets for sample return missions compared to meteorites.
  • They provide invaluable insights into the initial stages of solar system formation and evolution.