Spectroscopic characterization of the Gefion Asteroid Family: implications for L-chondrite Link

Asteroid families are cosmic puzzles that help us understand the true nature of their original parent body. Ordinary chondrites are the most common types of meteorites that arrive to Earth and are composed of three subtypes: H, L, and LL chondrites. The Gefion Asteroid Family (GAF) has been proposed to be the source asteroids for the L chondrites. In this work, we present the results of a spectroscopic campaign of six dynamically defined members of the GAF to test the hypothesis if L chondrites come from this family. Our compositional analysis of these six asteroids shows a range of meteorite analogues from L- to LL chondrites. Combining these results with our previous work, we note that GAF asteroids span the entire ordinary chondrite range of H-, L-, and LL. The observed compositional heterogeneity in the GAF is likely due to largest members of the GAF consisting of interlopers. A more detailed spectroscopic survey of a large subset of asteroids in the GAF region is needed to further isolate true family members.

Automated summary

This study presents the results of a spectroscopic campaign on six members of the Gefion Asteroid Family (GAF) to test the hypothesis that L chondrites come from this family. The compositional analysis shows a range of meteorite analogues from L- to LL chondrites in these asteroids. It is suggested that the observed compositional heterogeneity in the GAF is likely due to the presence of interlopers, and further spectroscopic surveys are needed to isolate true family members.