Albedos and diameters of three Mars Trojan asteroids
Abstract
We observed the Mars Trojan Asteroids (5261) Eureka and (101429) 1998 VF 31 and the candidate Mars Trojan 2001 FR 127 at 11.2 and 18.1 microns using Michelle on the Gemini North telescope. We derive diameters of 1.28, 0.78, and <0.52 km, respectively, with corresponding geometric visible albedos of 0.39, 0.32, and >0.14. The albedos for Eureka and 1998 VF 31 are consistent with the taxonomic classes and compositions (S(I)/angritic and S(VII)/achondritic, respectively) and implied histories presented in a companion paper by Rivkin et al. Eureka's surface likely has a relatively high thermal inertia, implying a thin regolith that is consistent with predictions and the small size that we derive.
- Publication:
-
Icarus
- Pub Date:
- December 2007
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.icarus.2007.08.002
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0709.1921
- Bibcode:
- 2007Icar..192..442T
- Keywords:
-
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Icarus, in press. See companion paper 0709.1925 by Rivkin et al