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Paper: Thermal Emission Spectroscopy of 1 Ceres: Evidence For Olivine
Volume: 196, Thermal Emission Spectroscopy and Analysis of Dust, Disks, and Regoliths
Page: 197
Authors: Witteborn, Fred C.; Roush, Ted L.; Cohen, Martin
Abstract: Thermal emission spectra of the largest asteroid, 1 Ceres, obtained from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory display features that may provide information about its surface mineralogy. The emissivity, obtained by dividing the spectra by a standard thermal model, is compared with emissivity spectra of olivines and phyllosilicates deduced via Kirchoff's law from reflectivity measurements. The spectra provide a fairly good match to fine grained olivines (0 to 5 μm size range). The smoothness of the spectrum beyond 18 μm is an indication of particles smaller than 50 μm. While the abrupt rise in emissivity near 8 μm matches many silicates, the distinct emissivity minimum centered near 12.8 μm is consistant with iron-poor olivines, but not with phyllosilicates. It suggests the presence of opaques and does not exclude a mixture with organics and fine-grained phyllosilicates.
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