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Paper: Exploring Main Belt Asteroids
Volume: 272, The Future of Solar System Exploration, 2003-2013: Community Contributions to the NRC Solar System Exploration Decadal Survey
Page: 159
Authors: Sykes, M.V.; Asphaug, E.; Bell, J.F.; Binzel, R.P.; Bottke, W.; Bus, S.J.; Cellino, A.; Clark, P.; Davis, D.R.; De Sanctis, M.C.; Durda, D.D.; Emery, J.; Fevig, R.A.; Fink, U.; Granahan, J.; Harris, A.W.; Hartmann, W.K.; Jedicke, R.; Kelley, M.; Larson, S.M.; Lien, D.J.; Magri, C.; Ostro, S.J.; Reed, K.L.; Rivkin, A.S.; Sears, D.W.G.; Storrs, A.; Tholen, D.J.; Walker, R.; Whiteley, R.; Yano, H.
Abstract: The asteroid belt is filled with fragments of disrupted proto-planets, of which only a few survive. It has been dynamically stirred and suffered substantial mass loss. Samples exist on the Earth as meteorites. Putting these pieces back together provides a window into an early chapter of solar system history, during and after its formation, capturing the earliest epoch of planet formation. Groundbased observations, laboratory analyses of meteorites, and theoretical studies, in addition to flyby and rendezvous missions are all required to progress in this area.
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