[meteorite-list] Lutetia

From: MexicoDoug <mexicodoug_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:01:00 -0500 (EST)
Message-ID: <8CE6FCFFD52CD25-82C-2EFFF_at_webmail-d056.sysops.aol.com>

"By your own argument, it would be a speculative assumption to consider
that Lutetia is not an E-class meteorite"

Hi Benjamin;

I'm glad you read and understood the point I was making. Correct: it
is speculative to say what it is or to say what is isn't, within a
range that fits the noisy spectral data, in the absence of more
convincing evidence. We'll just have to wait. If you have an opinion
without having to fully support the conclusion that's honorable,
respectable and probably fun to get in vicariously on the action if it
turns out true ... as long as we put it in the column of testable ideas.

There is no slam dunk here either way. Insufficient information.
Lot's of things sound great and then fizzle out. Others don't. Let's
see the article that Larry apparently previewed and maybe that will be
more convincing. Then connect the dots to see how this material could
be transported to Earth and the possibilities of especially that 45 km
crater imaged being a source of earth bound material, in case it is not
only a recognizeable meteorite class composition, but also one we
actually have in our collections. But that is wishful thinking for
now. At the moment assumptions or bets might be fun but I prefer
betting on Blackjack-21 or meteorite hunting where I can at least break
my butt doing something to improve my odds instead of watching the
all-star science teams from the bleachers ... but I will root for them!

It will be great if we can add Lutetia to the Pantheon of Parent
Bodies, but that will require a successful study like Binzel's or a
sample return mission. On the basis of size of the asteroid and its
many craters, maybe it be Abee... That would a nice coincidence as of
all the meteorites on the planet I just got Abee as a gift from a
friend on the day this hit the press.

Kindest wishes
Doug

-----Original Message-----
From: Benjamin P. Sun <bpsun2009 at gmail.com>
To: meteorite-list <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sat, Nov 12, 2011 9:18 pm
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Lutetia


Doug,

By your own argument, it would be a speculative assumption to consider
that Lutetia is not an E-class meteorite, and that it's spectroscopy
doesn't reflect in some way it's general composition. Like you say,
without a direct sample of Lutetia, no one can be absolutely certain.
On this I agree.
But for me, all signs are pointing towards ---> enstatite. If I were
to place a bet, that's what I would be betting on.
In the case of Vesta, it was predicted that it was the source for
HED's through Spectroscopy long before the chain of Vestoids was found
spanning along Vesta's orbit.
Granted, Spectroscopy of asteroids from Earth is probably not as
accurate as from a space probe in a close flyby. But that's one of the
reasons why it's nice that we have Dawn and Rosetta now.
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Received on Sat 12 Nov 2011 11:01:00 PM PST