In order to search for evidence of hydration on M-type asteroid (16) Psyche, we observed this object in the 3 μm spectral region using the long-wavelength cross-dispersed (LXD: 1.9–4.2 μm) mode of the SpeX spectrograph/imager at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. Our observations show that Psyche exhibits a 3 μm absorption feature, attributed to water or hydroxyl. The 3 μm absorption feature is consistent with the hydration features found on the surfaces of water-rich asteroids, attributed to OH- and/or H2O-bearing phases (phyllosilicates). The detection of a 3 μm hydration absorption band on Psyche suggests that this asteroid may not be a metallic core, or it could be a metallic core that has been impacted by carbonaceous material over the past 4.5 Gyr. Our results also indicate rotational spectral variations, which we suggest reflect heterogeneity in the metal/silicate ratio on the surface of Psyche.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2016 |
---|---|
Title | Detection of water and/or hydroxyl on asteroid (16) Psyche |
DOI | 10.3847/1538-3881/153/1/31 |
Authors | Driss Takir, Vishnu Reddy, Juan A. Sanchez, Michael K. Shepard, Joshua P. Emery |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Astronomical Journal |
Index ID | 70194259 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Astrogeology Science Center |