An attempt to reduce the effects of black material from the spectral reflectance of meteorites or asteroids

Spectral reflectances (0.25-2.5 microns) were measured in meteorite samples of Yamato-75258 containing various amounts of low reflectance material (carbon black or magnetite) for the purpose of examining the effects of low reflectance materials on the spectral reflectance. A method to enhance the spectral contrast was developed, and a constructed spectral reflectance curve was compared to the spectral reflectances of Ceres. It was found that the material containing less carbon than the Murchison meteorite was a better candidate for the surface material of Ceres. Results from the spectral reflectance curve of Ceres suggested a strong absorption band around 0.7 micron, and a small peak around 0.35 micron when the effects of carbon are not reduced. Future applications include clarifying the spectral contrast.