Rotationally-resolved spectroscopy of Vesta I: 2 4 µm region

Abstract

We present new infrared (2-4 μm) spectroscopic observations of Vesta obtained in 2001, 2003, and 2004. Together with previously published work, these present a picture of how Vesta's spectrum changes with sub-Earth latitude and longitude. Vesta's albedo and 2-μm band vary regularly with its rotational phase. While establishing the continuum level for Vesta in the 3-μm region is not straightforward, Vesta appears to have a spectrum consistent with the HED meteorites and not requiring a 3-μm water of hydration band. We cannot formally rule out a shallow (∼1%) band, however. We place limits on the extent to which solar-wind implantation and contamination by CM-like impactors has changed the surface spectrum of Vesta.