Roid Rage Our Type? M-Types (ft. Dr. Cristina Thomas)
May 29, 2025
Dr. Cristina Thomas, an associate professor at Northern Arizona University, specializes in asteroid spectroscopy and was key in the DART mission. She breaks down how M-type asteroids are classified and why identifying them is messier than we think. The discussion includes the origins of near-Earth asteroids from the main belt and the potential for mining them in the future. They also explore the fascinating possibility of microbial life on asteroids, blending science with humor as they speculate about retrieving metals from these celestial bodies.
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Spectroscopy Links Meteorites to Asteroids
- Spectroscopy helps link meteorites and asteroids by analyzing light absorption.
- Vesta's distinct absorption features make it a clear match to HED meteorites.
Mineral Insights from Spectral Absorptions
- Spectral absorption features at 1 and 2 microns reveal asteroid mineral compositions like pyroxene.
- Different absorption depths indicate mineral iron content and crustal diversity on Vesta.
Primitive vs Differentiated Meteorites
- Carbonaceous chondrites are primitive meteorites altered by some water but never melted.
- They contrast with melted differentiated bodies like Vesta, which have metal cores and layered crusts.