Darkening in black and gas-rich ordinary chondrites: The spectral effects of opaque morphology and distribution

摘要: Abstract Darkening of ordinary chondrite surface material by regolith processes such as shock-induced heating may hinder identification main asteroid belt parent bodies for chondrites. There are two types darkened chondrites, the black chondrites and gas-rich Relative to normal they show reduced reflectance, a modest red continuum slope, subdued absorption features that can make mineral challenging. Both meteorite dispersion micron-scale FeNi metal troilite. The major morphologies 1. (1) random 0.5–5 μm diameter blebs troilite throughout silicates 2. (2) fine networks veins up 5-μm thick. Gas-rich acquired their darkening while directly exposed space environment on bodies. Black probably represent was originally more deeply buried shocked, heated, impacts. implications these shock significantly alter spectral signature “mature” soil large body be spectrally altered.