Journal Article

Detection of a 2.85 μm Feature on Five Spinel-rich Asteroids from JWST

Tissot, Francois L. H, Ehlmann, Bethany L, Gomez Barrientos, Jonathan, Mueller, Jessica, de Kleer, Katherine

2024

Overview

Ground-based observations of “Barbarian” L-type asteroids at 1–2.5 μm indicate that their near-infrared spectra are dominated by the mineral spinel, which has been attributed to a high abundance of calcium-aluminum inclusions (CAIs)—the first solids to condense out of the protoplanetary disk during the formation of the solar system. However, the spectral properties of these asteroids from 2.5–5 μm, a wavelength region that covers signatures of hydrated minerals, water, and organics, have not yet been explored. Here, we present 2–5 μm reflectance spectra of five spinel-rich asteroids obtained with the NIRSpec instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope. All five targets exhibit a ∼2.85 μm absorption feature with a band depth of 3%–6% that appears correlated in strength with that of the 2 μm spinel absorption feature. The shape and position of the 2.85 μm feature are not a good match to the 2.7 μm feature commonly seen in carbonaceous CM meteorites or C-type asteroids. The closest spectral matches are to the Moon and Vesta, suggesting commonalities in aqueous alteration across silicate bodies, infall of hydrated material, and/or space weathering by solar wind H implantation. Lab spectra of CO/CV chondrites, CAIs, as well as the minerals cronstedtite and spinel, also show a similar feature, providing clues into the origin of the 2.85 μm feature.

• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Subject: Absorption / Aluminum / Asteroids / Chondrites / Ground-based observation / Inclusions / Infrared spectra / James Webb Space Telescope / Jupiter / Minerals / Near infrared radiation / Planet formation / Protoplanetary disks / Solar system / Solar wind / Space telescopes / Space weathering / Spinel / Weathering