Reflectance spectroscopy (200–2500 nm) of highly-reduced phases under oxygen- and water-free conditions

Abstract

Spectra of highly-reduced mineral phases from 200 to 2500nm provide new laboratory constraints on the surfaces of asteroids and other extremely reduced solid assemblages. Synthetic oldhamite (CaS) is distinguished by high ultraviolet reflectance (which decreases toward shorter wavelengths). Oldhamite and osbornite spectra show absorption features at ∼401nm and ∼436nm, respectively. Chemically pure synthetic oldhamite is spectrally distinct from naturally-occurring oldhamite from the Norton County aubrite, possibly due to differences in minor and trace element compositions, presence or absence of inclusions, or differences in oxidation/hydration (terrestrial weathering). Iron powders at 50nm and 10μm nominal particle sizes, nanophase graphite, and carlsbergite (CrN) all have very low reflectivity over the 200–2500nm wavelength range. Carlsbergite has a slight blue spectral slope in the visible and near-infrared (400–2500nm), while the iron powders and nanophase graphite show slight red slopes over this wavelength range.