Evidence of a metal-rich surface for the asteroid (16) Psyche from interferometric observations in the thermal infrared - CNRS - Centre national de la recherche scientifique Accéder directement au contenu
Pré-Publication, Document De Travail Année : 2013

Evidence of a metal-rich surface for the asteroid (16) Psyche from interferometric observations in the thermal infrared

Résumé

We describe the first determination of thermal properties and size of the M-type asteroid (16) Psyche from interferometric observations obtained with the Mid-Infrared Interferometric Instrument (MIDI) of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. We used a thermophysical model to interpret our interferometric data. Our analysis shows that Psyche has a low macroscopic surface roughness. Using a convex 3-D shape model obtained by Kaasalainen et al. (2002, Icarus 159, 369-395), we derived a volume-equivalent diameter for (16) Psyche of 247 +- 25 km or 238 +- 24 km, depending on the possible values of surface roughness. Our corresponding thermal inertia estimates are 133 or 114 J.m-2.s-0.5.K-1, with a total uncertainty estimated to 40 J.m-2.s-0.5.K-1. They are among the highest thermal inertia values ever measured for an asteroid of this size. We consider this as a new evidence of a metal-rich surface for the asteroid (16) Psyche.

Dates et versions

hal-00833226 , version 1 (12-06-2013)

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Alexis Matter, Marco Delbo, Benoit Carry, Sebastiano Ligori. Evidence of a metal-rich surface for the asteroid (16) Psyche from interferometric observations in the thermal infrared. 2013. ⟨hal-00833226⟩
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