Internal structure and physical properties of the Asteroid 2008 TC.sub.3./sub. inferred from a study of the Almahata Sitta meteorites

0367277 - GLÚ 2012 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Kohout, Tomáš - Kiuru, R. - Montonen, M. - Scheirich, Peter - Britt, D. - Macke, R. - Consolmagno, G.
Internal structure and physical properties of the Asteroid 2008 TC₃ inferred from a study of the Almahata Sitta meteorites.
Icarus. Roč. 212, č. 2 (2011), s. 697-700. ISSN 0019-1035. E-ISSN 1090-2643
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z30130516; CEZ:AV0Z10030501
Keywords : asteroid * 2008TC₃ * meteorite * Near-Earth objects
Subject RIV: BN - Astronomy, Celestial Mechanics, Astrophysics
Impact factor: 3.385, year: 2011

The density measurements of Almahata Sitta ureilites reveal a bulk density of ~ 3.1 g/cm³. This value, together with the 2008 TC₃ asteroid shape model and albedo, was used to estimate the asteroid’s mass. Based on the study of recovered meteorites and the atmospheric entry observations the asteroid 2008 TC₃ is compositionally heterogeneous and of low mechanical strength. Thus we consider the presence of significant macroporosity likely, lowering asteroid’s bulk density compared to that of the Almahata Sitta ureilites. Most realistic albedos lie in a range of 0.09 0.2 and the presence of significant macroporosity leads to mass estimates below 20 x 103 kg, which is lower than previously estimated. The presence of a non ureilitic fraction and space weathering may affect the albedo and also influence the mass estimates. However, from current data it is not possible to quantify this effect.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0202017