Near-infrared spectroscopy of 1999 JU3, the target of the Hayabusa 2 mission

Licandro, J.; de Leon, J.; Campins, H.; Lorenzi, V.; Pinilla-Alonso, N.
Bibliographical reference

Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 552, id.A79, 3 pp.

Advertised on:
4
2013
Number of authors
5
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
16
Refereed citations
16
Description
Context. Primitive asteroids contain complex organic material and ices relevant to the origin of life on Earth. These types of asteroids are the target of several sample-return missions to be launched in the next years. 1999 JU3 is the target of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency's Hayabusa 2 mission. Aims: 1999 JU3 has been previously identified as a C-class asteroid. Spectroscopic observations at longer wavelengths will help to constrain its composition. Methods: We obtained spectroscopy of 1999 JU3 from 0.85 to 2.2 μm, with the 3.6 m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo using the low-resolution mode of the Near Infrared Camera Spectrograph. Results: We present a near-infrared spectrum of 1999 JU3 from 0.85 to 2.2 μ that is consistent with previously published spectra and with its C-type classification. Conclusions: Our spectrum confirms the primitive nature of 1999 JU3 and its interest as target of the sample-return mission Hayabusa 2.
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