Contact: Martha Downs
martha_downs@brown.edu
401-863-2752
Brown University

NIR Spectra on Itokawa

Caption: Near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectra of the two areas (open markers) on Itokawa fit with the Alta'ameem meteorite spectrum after nanophase reduced iron particles are numerically added. Data suggest that the dark and red area has about 0.04 percent volume more iron particles than the bright and blue area. This is clear evidence that space weathering is causing the darkening and reddening of the Itokawa's surface.

Credit: Near-Infrared Spectrometer

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