open encyclopedia * Article Search: * *
*
*

C-type asteroid

From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.

C-type asteroids are carbonaceous asteroids. They form 75% of known asteroids, and are extremely dark (albedo 0.03), similar to carbonaceous chondrite meteorites (types CI and CM). They dominate the outer belt beyond 2.7 AU. These asteroids have approximately the same chemical composition as the Sun, except that they do not contain hydrogen, helium and other volatiles. The spectra of these asteroids have relatively blue colours, slightly reddish longwards of 0.4 µm, but otherwise fairly flat and featureless with an ultraviolet absorption feature shortwards of 0.4 µm.

C-type asteroids are further subdivided into the following classifications:

You can use the "What links here" toolbox link to find asteroids of this type.

Contribute Found an omission? You can freely contribute to this Wikipedia article. Edit Article
Copyright © 2003-2004 Zeeshan Muhammad. All rights reserved. Legal notices. Part of the New Frontier Information Network.