K-type asteroid
Encyclopedia
K-type asteroids are relatively uncommon asteroid
s with a moderately reddish spectrum shortwards of 0.75 μm, and a slight bluish trend longwards of this. They have a low albedo
. Their spectrum resembles that of CV and CO meteorite
s.
These asteroids were described as "featureless" S-types
in the Tholen classification. The K-type was proposed by J. F. Bell and colleagues in 1988 for bodies having a particularly shallow 1 μm absorption feature, and lacking the 2 μm absorption. These were found during studies of the Eos family
of asteroids.
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
s with a moderately reddish spectrum shortwards of 0.75 μm, and a slight bluish trend longwards of this. They have a low albedo
Albedo
Albedo , or reflection coefficient, is the diffuse reflectivity or reflecting power of a surface. It is defined as the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to incident radiation upon it...
. Their spectrum resembles that of CV and CO meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
s.
These asteroids were described as "featureless" S-types
S-type asteroid
S-type asteroids are of a stony composition, hence the name. Approximately 17% of asteroids are of this type, making it the second most common after the C-type.-Characteristics:...
in the Tholen classification. The K-type was proposed by J. F. Bell and colleagues in 1988 for bodies having a particularly shallow 1 μm absorption feature, and lacking the 2 μm absorption. These were found during studies of the Eos family
Eos family
The Eos or Eoan family is a prominent family of main belt asteroids that is believed to have formed as a result of an ancient catastrophic collision. Members of the family share similar orbits. The family is named after 221 Eos....
of asteroids.
See also
- Asteroid spectral typesAsteroid spectral typesAsteroids are assigned a type based on spectral shape, color, and sometimes albedo. These types are thought to correspond to an asteroid's surface composition...
- L-type asteroidL-type asteroidL-type asteroids are relatively uncommon asteroids with a strongly reddish spectrum shortwards of 0.75 μm, and a featureless flat spectrum longwards of this. In comparison with the K-type, they exhibit a more reddish spectrum at visible wavelengths and a flat spectrum in the infrared.These...
- S-type asteroidS-type asteroidS-type asteroids are of a stony composition, hence the name. Approximately 17% of asteroids are of this type, making it the second most common after the C-type.-Characteristics:...
- X-type asteroidX-type asteroidThe X-group of asteroids collects together several types with similar spectra, but probably quite different compositions.-Tholen classification:In the Tholen classification the X-group contains the types:* E-type* M-type, the largest grouping* P-type...
- 181 Eucharis181 Eucharis181 Eucharis is a large, slowly rotating main-belt asteroid. It is classified as a K-type asteroid. It is named after Eucharis, a Greek nymph....
- 221 Eos221 Eos221 Eos is a rather large main-belt asteroid. It is classified as a K-type asteroid. It is a member of the extensive Eos asteroid family, which is named after it.Eos was discovered by Johann Palisa on January 18, 1882, in Vienna...
- 402 Chloë402 Chloë402 Chloë is a large Main belt asteroid. It is classified as a K-type asteroid.It was discovered by Auguste Charlois on March 21, 1895 in Nice....
- 417 Suevia417 Suevia417 Suevia is a typical Main belt asteroid. It is classified as a K-type/S-type asteroid.It was discovered by Max Wolf on May 6, 1896 in Heidelberg....