A Spectroscopically Unique Main-Belt Asteroid: 10537 (1991 RY16)

Abstract

We present visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra and interpreted surface mineralogy for asteroid 10537 (1991 RY16). The spectrum of this object is without precedent among the main-belt asteroids. A unique absorption band centered at 0.63 μm could be attributed to one of several mineralogies. Pronounced 1 and 2 μm absorption bands suggest that the composition of 10537 is a mixture of pyroxenes and olivine and that it originated from a parent body that was partially or fully differentiated. The closest available analog is the large main-belt asteroid 349 Dembowska, but 10537 may be an isolated fragment from a completely eroded parent body. © 2008. The American Astronomical Society.