NSF/AFOSR Astronomy: Infrared Characterization of Near-Earth Asteroids

摘要利用波长为0.55微米和10.6微米的近地小行星（NEAs）的测量数据来推导反照率和直径，以改进小行星的热模型。NEA人口的大小频率分布能够准确估计人口密度分布。NEA的起源和演化就是从这些测量中得出的。这些信息对我们了解太阳系内小行星的起源和演化至关重要，为小行星撞击地球的可能性提供了基础研究见解。小行星撞击地球现在被认为对我们星球表面的生命造成了一些非常重大的变化。自从地球上最初出现生命以来，小行星撞击地球的影响似乎有三到四次使几乎所有形式的生命在数千年里灭绝。这一创新提议将为未来理解太阳系相互作用奠定基础。在这个NSF/空军联合项目中，使用美国空军的3.67米先进光电系统记录辐射测量

0088450TedescoAbstractRadiometric measurements of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) at wavelengths of 0.55 micrometers and 10.6 micrometers are used to derive albedos and diameters to refine asteroid thermal models. NEA population's size frequency distribution enables an accurate estimate of the population density distributoin. The origin and evolution of the NEA's are derived from these measurements. This information is critical to our understanding of the origins and the evolution of asteroids within the solar system provides fundamental research insight into the probability of an asteroid striking the earth. Asteroids striking the earth are now believed to have contributed to several very significant changes in life on the surface of our planet. There appear to be three or four times since life first appeared on the earth that the effects of asteroids striking the earth have eliminated almost all forms of life for thousands of years. This innovative proposal will lay the foundation for future understanding of solar-system interactions.Radiometric measurements are recorfded using the 3.67-meter Advanced Electro-Optical System of the US Air Force in this joint NSF/Air Force program.***