Mineralogical characterization of near-Earth Asteroid (1036) Ganymed

• Published in: Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962) Vol. 212; no. 1; pp. 149 - 157
• Main Authors: Fieber-Beyer, Sherry K., Gaffey, Michael J., Abell, Paul A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Asteroids; Asteroids, Composition; Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Infrared observations; Mineralogy; Near-Earth Objects; Solar system; Near-Earth Objects; Asteroids, Composition; Asteroids; Mineralogy; Infrared observations; Composition; Meteorites; Color; Infrared observation; Chondrites; Solar system
• ISSN: 0019-1035; 1090-2643
• DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2010.12.013

► A mineralogical assessment of near-Earth Asteroid (1036) Ganymed was completed. ► Ganymed is an S(VI) asteroid consisting primarily of orthopyroxene, Fs23(±5)Wo3(±3). ► Ganymed was once part of a mesosiderite containing HED pyroxenes mixed with metal. ► Ganymed is not a parent body of the OCs and is not genetically related to 433 Eros. We present a mineralogical assessment of near-Earth Asteroid, (1036) Ganymed, using data obtained May 18, 2006 UT combined with 24 Color Asteroid Survey data to cover the spectral interval of 0.3–2.45μm. Results of the analysis indicate (1036) Ganymed is an S (VI) asteroid with a surface silicate assemblage consisting primarily of orthopyroxene, (Fs23(±5)Wo3(±3)), consistent with calculated band centers and band area ratios (BAR). (1036) Ganymed appears to be once part of a large mesosiderite containing howardite, eucrite, and diogenite (HED) pyroxenes mixed with metal that was broken apart and dispersed. The calculated composition of the average pyroxenes in the surface material of (1036) Ganymed is consistent with mesosiderite pyroxenes, in particular the diogenites. A second possibility could be (1036) Ganymed is not yet represented in the meteorite collection. Our investigation has confirmed Ganymed is not a parent body of the ordinary chondrites and is not genetically related to (433) Eros.