Publication
The Warm Spitzer NEO Survey: Exploring the History of the Inner Solar System and Near Earth Space
Trilling, D. E., Bhattacharya, B., Bottke, W., Chesley, S., Delbo, M., Emery, J., Fazio, G., Harris, A., Hora, J., Mainzer, A., Mueller, M., Penprase, B., Smith, H., Spahr, T. & Stansberry, J., May-2009, In : Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society. 41, p. 716Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › Academic

The majority of Near Earth Objects (NEOs) originated in collisions
between bodies in the main asteroid belt and have found their way into
near-Earth space via complex and little understood dynamical
interactions. This transport of material from the main belt into the
inner Solar System has shaped the histories of the terrestrial planets.
However, despite their scientific importance, key characteristics of the
NEO population --- such as the size distribution, mix of albedos and
mineralogies, and contributions from so-called dead or dormant comets
--- remain largely unexplored; some 99% of all presently known NEOs are
essentially uncharacterized. Recent evidence suggests that the size
distribution of NEOs may undergo a transition at 1 km, and that the
smaller bodies may record fundamental physical processes that are
presently occurring in the Solar System but not understood. We will use
the unique capability of Warm Spitzer to observe 700 NEOs. We will
measure the size distribution of this population to understand
fundamental physical processes that occur among the small bodies of our
Solar System. We will measure the fraction of NEOs likely to be dead
comets, with implications for the flux of organic material onto the
Earth. We will measure the albedo distribution of NEOs, which indicates
the compositional diversity among these small bodies. We will study
properties of individual NEOs, including their surface properties and
potentially their densities, and detailed properties of a subset of
well-characterized objects. Our expert team and our previous experience
in this field will allow us to complete a comprehensive study of the
origin and evolution of the NEO population. Our work is nothing less
than an exploration of the history of near-Earth space.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 716 |
Journal | Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society |
Volume | 41 |
Publication status | Published - May-2009 |
Event | 214th Meeting - American Astronomical Society - Pasadena, California, United States Duration: 7-Jun-2009 → 11-Jun-2009 |
Event
214th Meeting - American Astronomical Society
07/06/2009 → 11/06/2009
Pasadena, California, United StatesEvent: Conference
ID: 20904380