Asteroids: Astronomical and Geological Bodies

410 Pages·2017·38.955 MB·English

by  Thomas H. Burbine

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ASTEROIDS
Astronomical and Geological Bodies
Asteroid science is a fundamental topic in planetary science and key to furthering our
understanding of planetary formation and the evolution of the Solar System. Ground- based
observations and missions have provided a wealth of new data in recent years, and forth-
coming missions promise further exciting results. This accessible book presents a com-
prehensive introduction to asteroid science, summarizing the astronomical and geological
characteristics of asteroids. The interdisciplinary nature of asteroid science is reflected in
the broad range of topics covered, including asteroid and meteorite classification, chemical
and physical properties of asteroids, observational techniques, cratering, the discovery of
asteroids, and how they are named. Other chapters discuss past, present, and future space
missions and the threat that these bodies pose for Earth. Based on an upper- level course on
asteroids and meteorites taught by the author, this book is ideal for students, researchers,
and professional scientists looking for an overview of asteroid science.
Thomas H. Burbine is Director of Williston Observatory at Mount Holyoke College
and has a Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences from MIT. Asteroid (5159) Burbine is named in his
honor.
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Cambridge Planetary Science
Series Editors: Fran Bagenal, David Jewitt, Carl Murray, Jim Bell, Ralph Lorenz,
Francis Nimmo, Sara Russell
Books in the series
1. Jupiter: The Planet, Satellites and Magnetosphere†
Edited by Bagenal, Dowling and McKinnon
978- 0- 521- 03545- 3
2. Meteorites: A Petrologic, Chemical and Isotopic Synthesis†
Hutchison
978- 0- 521- 03539- 2
3. The Origin of Chondrules and Chondrites†
Sears
978- 1- 107- 40285- 0
4. Planetary Rings†
Esposito
978- 1- 107- 40247- 8
5. The Geology of Mars: Evidence from Earth- Based Analogs†
Edited by Chapman
978- 0- 521- 20659- 4
6. The Surface of Mars
Carr
978- 0- 521- 87201- 0
7. Volcanism on Io: A Comparison with Earth
Davies
978- 0- 521- 85003- 2
8. Mars: An Introduction to its Interior, Surface and Atmosphere
Barlow
978- 0- 521- 85226- 5
9. The Martian Surface: Composition, Mineralogy and Physical Properties
Edited by Bell
978- 0- 521- 86698- 9
10. Planetary Crusts: Their Composition, Origin and Evolution†
Taylor and McLennan
978- 0- 521- 14201- 4
11. Planetary Tectonics†
Edited by Watters and Schultz
978- 0- 521- 74992- 3
12. Protoplanetary Dust: Astrophysical and Cosmochemical Perspectives†
Edited by Apai and Lauretta
978- 0- 521- 51772- 0
iii
13. Planetary Surface Processes
Melosh
978- 0- 521- 51418- 7
14. Titan: Interior, Surface, Atmosphere and Space Environment
Edited by Müller-W odarg, Griffith, Lellouch and Cravens
978- 0- 521- 19992- 6
15. Planetary Rings: A Post- Equinox View (Second edition)
Esposito
978- 1- 107- 02882- 1
16. Planetesimals: Early Differentiation and Consequences for Planets
Edited by Elkins- Tanton and Weiss
978- 1- 107- 11848- 5
17. Asteroids: Astronomical and Geological Bodies
Burbine
978- 1- 107- 09684- 4
† Reissued as a paperback
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ASTEROIDS
Astronomical and Geological Bodies
THOMAS H. BURBINE
Mount Holyoke College
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University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom
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Cambridge University Press is part of the University of Cambridge.
It furthers the University’s mission by disseminating knowledge in the pursuit of
education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence.
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781107096844
10.1017/ 9781316156582
© Thomas H. Burbine 2017
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2017
Printed in the United Kingdom by TJ International Ltd. Padstow Cornwall
A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloguing i n Publication Data
Names: Burbine, Thomas H., 1966–
Title: Asteroids : astronomical and geological bodies /
Thomas H. Burbine, Mount Holyoke College.
Description: Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2017. |
Series: Cambridge planetary science |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016028019 | ISBN 9781107096844 (hardback)
Subjects: LCSH: Asteroids. | Space flight to asteroids.
Classification: LCC QB651.B86 2017 | DDC 523.44–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016028019
ISBN 978- 1- 107- 09684- 4 Hardback
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs
for external or third- party Internet Web sites referred to in this publication and does not
guarantee that any content on such Web sites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
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Dedicated to the People Who Inspire Me Everyday
My Parents
Ahlay and Shahla Hussain
Adam Carolla and Drew Pinsky
viii
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Contents
Preface pagexiii
Acknowledgments xvii
Variables, Constants, and Unit Abbreviations xx
1 Light and Magnitude 1
1.1 Light 1
1.2 Black Bodies 4
1.3 Albedo 7
1.4 Temperature 7
1.5 Telescopes 9
1.6 Detectors 10
1.7 Observing Different Wavelengths of Light 14
1.8 Observatories 15
1.9 Magnitude 19
1.10 Relationship between Albedos and Diameters 27
2 Orbits and Discovering Minor Planets 29
2.1 History 29
2.2 Minor Planet Terminology 34
2.3 Thermal Radiation Forces 43
2.4 Celestial Coordinates 47
2.5 Discovery of Ceres 49
2.6 Discovery and Naming of First Asteroids 52
2.7 Discovering a Minor Planet 53
2.8 Naming of Minor Planets 58
3 Meteorites, Minerals, and Isotopes 66
3.1 Meteorites 66
3.2 Minerals 74
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x Contents
3.3 Forming Minerals 81
3.4 Terrestrial Weathering 85
3.5 Meteorite Classification 86
3.6 Meteors 107
3.7 Meteorite Densities 108
3.8 Magnetic Field 109
3.9 Radioactive Dating 111
3.10 Planetary Meteorites 129
3.11 Meteorites on Mars 130
4 Reflectance Spectroscopy and Asteroid Taxonomy 133
4.1 Reflectance Spectra 133
4.2 Radiative Transfer Modeling 140
4.3 Mineral Absorption Features 145
4.4 Reflectance Spectra of Meteorites 150
4.5 Space Weathering 155
4.6 Mineralogical Formulas 157
4.7 Temperature 161
4.8 Taxonomy 162
4.9 Taxonomic Classes 166
5 Physical Properties and Families 185
5.1 Diameters 185
5.2 Asteroid Families 193
5.3 Light Curves 200
5.4 Radar 206
5.5 Minor Planet Moons 208
5.6 Distribution of Taxonomic Classes 212
5.7 Planetary Migration 214
6 Comets and Outer Solar System Bodies 218
6.1 Comets 218
6.2 Asteroid– Comet Relationships 230
6.3 Trojans 231
6.4 Trans- Neptunian Objects 232
6.5 Centaurs 248
6.6 Damocloids 250
6.7 Extrasolar Minor Planets 250
7 Near- Earth Asteroids and the Impact Threat 251
7.1 Near- Earth Asteroids 251
7.2 Cratering 254
7.3 Discovery of a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid 263