Color and albedo heterogeneity of Vesta from Dawn

Science
Vishnu ReddyChristopher Russell

Abstract

Multispectral images (0.44 to 0.98 μm) of asteroid (4) Vesta obtained by the Dawn Framing Cameras reveal global color variations that uncover and help understand the north-south hemispherical dichotomy. The signature of deep lithologies excavated during the formation of the Rheasilvia basin on the south pole has been preserved on the surface. Color variations (band depth, spectral slope, and eucrite-diogenite abundance) clearly correlate with distinct compositional units. Vesta displays the greatest variation of geometric albedo (0.10 to 0.67) of any asteroid yet observed. Four distinct color units are recognized that chronicle processes--including impact excavation, mass wasting, and space weathering--that shaped the asteroid's surface. Vesta's color and photometric diversity are indicative of its status as a preserved, differentiated protoplanet.

References

May 26, 1995·Science·P G LuceyE Malaret
May 15, 2012·Science·Paul SchenkChris Russell

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Citations

May 15, 2012·Science·C T RussellT N Titus
May 15, 2012·Science·Paul SchenkChris Russell
Sep 22, 2012·Science·Thomas H PrettymanChristopher T Russell
Oct 16, 2012·Science·Roger R FuAaron T Kuan
Dec 15, 2015·Nature·A NathuesJ-B Vincent
Jul 18, 2014·Nature·Harold ClenetPhilippe Gillet
Aug 24, 2012·Nature·Eric Hand
Nov 1, 2013·Meteoritics & Planetary Science·David J LawrenceNaoyuki Yamashita
Oct 11, 2017·Geophysical Research Letters·H G SizemoreC A Raymond

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