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An investigation of the bluish material on Ceres
Author(s) -
Stephan K.,
Jaumann R.,
Krohn K.,
Schmedemann N.,
Zambon F.,
Tosi F.,
Carrozzo F. G.,
McFadden L. A.,
Otto K.,
De Sanctis M. C.,
Ammannito E.,
Matz K.D.,
Roatsch T.,
Preusker F.,
Raymond C. A.,
Russell C. T.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2016gl071652
Subject(s) - space weathering , impact crater , dwarf planet , spectral slope , ejecta , weathering , astrobiology , amorphous solid , agglomerate , spectral properties , materials science , wavelength , recrystallization (geology) , infrared , mineralogy , geology , asteroid , spectral line , optics , composite material , chemistry , geomorphology , astrophysics , physics , crystallography , astronomy , paleontology , optoelectronics , supernova
Abstract The dwarf planet Ceres shows spatially well‐defined regions, which exhibit a negative (blue) spectral slope between 0.5 and 2.5 µm. Comparisons with planetary bodies known to exhibit a blue slope and spectral properties of materials identified on Ceres's surface based on infrared wavelength signatures indicate that the spectral changes could be related to physical properties of the surface material rather than variations in its composition. The close association of bluish surface regions to fresh impact craters implies a possible relationship to an impact‐triggered alteration and/or space weathering processes. The bluish regions could be linked with blankets of ultrafine grains and partly amorphous phyllosilicates, which form larger agglomerates due to the sticky behavior of impact‐induced phyllosilicate dust and/or the amorphization of the ejecta material during the impact process. Space weathering processes (micrometeoritic impacts, temperature changes) cause a reversal of the agglutination process and a recrystallization of the surface material with time resulting in a reddening of the spectral slope.