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Solar System

Two shades beyond Neptune

Nature volume 392, pages 16–17 (1998)Cite this article

We know that the composition of bodies in the Solar System changes with distance from the Sun. But it is unexpected that, as reported on page 49 of this issue1, there may be two basic compositions of bodies at the outer extremity of the planetary system.

An obvious compositional divide separates the terrestrial planets, made of rocks and metals, from the outer, giant planets, made of ices and gases. More subtle differences separate asteroids, which range from pure metal (such as 16 Psyche) to fluffy, carbonaceous-meteorite-like material (such as 253 Mathilde, examined last June by the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous spacecraft2). This variation between asteroids was revealed in the 1960s by measuring the colour of reflected sunlight: the metals and silicates of most inner-belt asteroids make them slightly reddish, whereas the carbonaceous outer-belt asteroids are neutral in colour, and very dark.

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References

  1. Tegler, S. C. & Romanishin, W. Nature 392, 49–51 (1998).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, 80302, Colorado, USA

    Clark R. Chapman

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  1. Clark R. Chapman
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Chapman, C. Two shades beyond Neptune. Nature 392, 16–17 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/32037

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