MARSSET , Michael

The vast majority of the geological constraints (i.e., internal structure via the density, cratering history) for main belt asteroids have so far been obtained via dedicated interplanetary missions (e.g., Rosetta, DAWN). The high angular resolution of SPHERE/ZIMPOL (one pixel represents 3.6 x 3.6 mas on sky), the new-generation visible...

As part of our ESO large program (ID 199.C-0074), we observed asteroid (7) Iris with the VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL instrument throughout its rotation during two consecutive nights in October 2017 (five different epochs). Iris, which is one of the four D>200 km S-type main belt asteroids along with (3) Juno, (15) Eunomia and (29) Amphitrite, is an...

Until recently, only three large main belt asteroids, Ceres, Vesta and Lutetia, had been imaged with a high level of detail, as they were visited by the space missions Dawn and Rosetta of NASA and the European Space Agency, respectively. The previously small number of detailed observations of asteroids meant that, until now, key characteristics...

Large (D>100km) asteroids are the most direct remnants of the building blocks of planets. (2) Pallas is the third largest asteroid and the parent body of a small collisional family. Its spectral properties indicate a B-type surface, meaning Pallas is most likely linked to carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Disc-resolved images have revealed a...

Asteroid (16) Psyche is the target of the NASA Psyche mission. It is considered as one of the few main-belt bodies that could be an exposed proto-planetary metallic core and that would thus be related to iron meteorites. Such association is however challenged by both its near- and mid-infrared spectral properties (e.g. Hardersen et al. Icarus...

Many advancements in planetary science are achieved by seizing upon the opportunity created by rare natural events (e.g. comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Jupiter impact; 1994) and by planned physical interactions (e.g. Deep Impact into comet Tempel 1; 2005). A forthcoming opportunity to seize upon a natural physical "experiment" occurs on April 13, 2029...

Many advancements in planetary science are achieved by seizing upon the opportunity created by rare natural events (e.g. comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 Jupiter impact; 1994) and by planned physical interactions (e.g. Deep Impact into comet Tempel 1; 2005). A forthcoming opportunity to seize upon a natural physical "experiment" occurs on April 13, 2029...

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