Spitzer Finds a Flavorful Mix of Asteroids

Thursday, September 2, 2010 - 15:35 in Astronomy & Space

(PhysOrg.com) -- New research from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope reveals that asteroids somewhat near Earth, termed near-Earth objects, are a mixed bunch, with a surprisingly wide array of compositions. Like a piñata filled with everything from chocolates to fruity candies, these asteroids come in assorted colors and compositions. Some are dark and dull; others are shiny and bright. The Spitzer observations of 100 known near-Earth asteroids demonstrate that the objects` diversity is greater than previously thought.

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