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

对波长为0.55微米和10.6微米的近地小行星(NEA)进行了辐射测量，以求出反照率和直径，以完善小行星热模型。NEA种群的大小频率分布可以准确地估计种群密度分布。NEA的起源和演化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概率提供了基础研究洞察。小行星撞击地球现在被认为对地球表面生命的几个非常重大的变化做出了贡献。自从生命首次出现在地球上以来，似乎有三到四次，几千年来，小行星撞击地球的影响几乎消灭了所有形式的生命。这一创新的提议将为未来理解太阳系相互作用奠定基础。在这项NSF/空军联合计划中，辐射测量是使用美国空军3.67米的先进光电系统进行记录的。

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.***