Internal structure and physical properties of the Asteroid 2008 TC3 inferred from a study of the Almahata Sitta meteorites

    Authors

    T. Kohout; R. Kiuru; M. Montonen; P. Scheirich; D. Britt; R. Macke;G. Consolmagno

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Icarus

    Keywords

    Asteroids; Meteorites; Near-Earth objects; DENSITY; UREILITES; RECOVERY; POROSITY; Astronomy & Astrophysics

    Abstract

    The density measurements of Almahata Sitta ureilites reveal a bulk density of similar to 3.1 g/cm(3). This value, together with the 2008 TC3 asteroid shape model and albedo, was used to estimate the asteroid's mass. Based on the study of recovered meteorites and atmospheric entry observations Asteroid 2008 TC3 is compositionally heterogeneous and of low mechanical strength. Thus we consider the presence of significant macroporosity likely, lowering asteroid's bulk density compared to that of the Almahata Sitta ureilites. Most realistic albedos lie in a range of 0.09-0.2 and the presence of significant macroporosity leads to mass estimates below 20 x 10(3) kg, which is lower than previously estimated. The presence of a non-ureilitic fraction and space weathering may affect the albedo and also influence the mass estimates. However, from current data it is not possible to quantify this effect. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Icarus

    Volume

    212

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    697

    Last Page

    700

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000289178100021

    ISSN

    0019-1035

    Share

    COinS