Date of Award

January 2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Space Studies

First Advisor

Mike Gaffeey

Abstract

The SMASS I, SMASS II and S3OS2 asteroid spectral survey data sets as well as those collected by Sawyer (1991) and Vilas (1992) were examined for compositionally significant inconsistencies between spectra taken for the same asteroids. Data was obtained from Small Bodies Node Planetary Data System. Thirty four asteroid spectra were determined to display drastic differences which would affect the mineralogical interpretation of the spectra. Including 354 Eleonora, which prompted the original question, these asteroids were further examined for possible causes of inconsistencies to determine if they were prompted by actual differences in the surface composition or were due to differences in data reduction and calibration.

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