Ultraviolet to near-infrared spectroscopy of the potentially hazardous, low delta-V asteroid (175706) 1996 FG3 Backup target of the sample return mission MarcoPolo-R

• Published in: Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) Vol. 555; pp. A62 - 5
• Main Authors: Perna, D., Dotto, E., Barucci, M. A., Fornasier, S., Alvarez-Candal, A., Gourgeot, F., Brucato, J. R., Rossi, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Assessments; Asteroid missions; Asteroids; Backups; Compacting; Hazardous; Sample return missions; Solar system
• ISSN: 0004-6361; 1432-0746
• DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201321677

Primitive near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) are important subjects of study for current planetary research. Their investigation can provide crucial information on topics such as the formation of the solar system, the emergence of life, and the mitigation of the risk of asteroid impact. Sample return missions from primitive asteroids have been scheduled or are being studied by space agencies, including the MarcoPolo-R mission selected for the assessment study phase of ESA M3 missions. We want to improve our knowledge of the surface composition and physical nature of the potentially hazardous, low delta-V asteroid (175706) 1996 FG3, backup target of MarcoPolo-R. This intriguing object shows an as-yet unexplained spectral variability. We hypothesize a compacted/cemented surface for 1996 FG3, like that observed by the Hayabusa mission on (25143) Itokawa, with the possible presence of regions showing different degrees of surface roughness. This variegation could be related to the binary nature of 1996 FG3, but to check this hypothesis further observations are necessary.