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Vesta's Elemental CompositionMany lines of evidence (e.g. common geochemistry, chronology, O-isotope trends, and the presence of different HED rock types in polymict breccias) indicate that the howardite, eucrite, and diogenite (HED) meteorites originated from a single parent body. Meteorite studies show that this protoplanet underwent igneous differentiation to form a metallic core, an ultramafic mantle, and a basaltic crust. A spectroscopic match between the HEDs and 4 Vesta along with a plausible mechanism for their transfer to Earth, perhaps as chips off V-type asteroids ejected from Vesta's southern impact basin, supports the consensus view that many of these achondritic meteorites are samples of Vesta's crust and upper mantle. The HED-Vesta connection was put to the test by the NASA Dawn mission, which spent a year in close proximity to Vesta. Measurements by Dawn's three instruments, redundant Framing Cameras (FC), a Visible-InfraRed (VIR) spectrometer, and a Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND), along with radio science have strengthened the link. Gravity measurements by Dawn are consistent with a differentiated, silicate body, with a dense Fe-rich core. The range of pyroxene compositions determined by VIR overlaps that of the howardites. Elemental abundances determined by nuclear spectroscopy are also consistent with HED-compositions. Observations by GRaND provided a new view of Vesta inaccessible by telescopic observations. Here, we summarize the results of Dawn's geochemical investigation of Vesta and their implications.
Document ID
20140012596
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Prettyman, T. H. (Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Beck, A. W. (Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC, United States)
Feldman, W. C. (Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Lawrence, D. J. (Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
McCoy, T. J. (Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC, United States)
McSween, H. Y. (Tennessee Univ. Knoxville, TN, United States)
Mittlefehldt, D. W. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Peplowski, P. N. (Johns Hopkins Univ. Laurel, MD, United States)
Raymond, C. A. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Reedy, R. C. (Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Russell, C. T. (California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Titus, T. N. (Geological Survey Flagstaff, AZ, United States)
Toplis, M. J. (Toulouse Univ. France)
Yamashita, N. (Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
September 26, 2014
Publication Date
February 3, 2014
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-30107
Meeting Information
Meeting: Vesta in the Light of Dawn: First Exploration of a Protoplanet in the Asteroid Belt
Location: Houston, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: February 3, 2014
End Date: February 4, 2014
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Universities Space Research Association
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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