C-type or carbonaceous asteroids are the most abundant type of asteroid in the solar system. About 75% of all asteroids are C-type.[1][2]
C-type asteroids are among the darkest objects in the solar system, having albedos that vary from 0.03 to 0.09.[2] They have a chemical composition similar to that of the Sun but lacking molecular hydrogen, helium, and other volatile elements.[1] Some have stated that their composition is like that of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. C-type asteroids predominate in the outer reaches of the asteroid belt.[3]
The largest known C-type asteroid is Hygiea. Ceres would still be a C-type asteroid, were it not now classified as a dwarf planet.[3] The asteroid Mathilde is another example of a C-type asteroid.[4]
C-type asteroids are too dim to view without a telescope.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous mission made rendezvous with and photographed the asteroid Mathilde in June 1997 en route to its rendezvous with the asteroid Eros.[4]
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Categories: [Astronomy]