C-type asteroids

Definition

C-type asteroids are carbonaceous asteroids that make up about 75% of known asteroids. They are dark in appearance and contain a high percentage of carbon, along with rocks and minerals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. C-type asteroids are the most common type of asteroid found in the asteroid belt.
2. Their composition includes a significant amount of water ice and organic compounds.
3. These asteroids have low albedo, meaning they reflect very little light.
4. C-type asteroids are considered some of the oldest objects in the solar system, providing insights into its early conditions.
5. Spectral analysis shows that they share similarities with carbonaceous chondrite meteorites found on Earth.

Review Questions

• What percentage of known asteroids do C-type asteroids represent?
• Why do C-type asteroids appear dark?
• How does the composition of C-type asteroids provide clues about the early solar system?

Related terms

S-type Asteroids: These are siliceous or stony asteroids composed mainly of silicate minerals and nickel-iron.

M-type Asteroids: Metallic asteroids primarily made up of nickel and iron, often associated with differentiated parent bodies.

Carbonaceous Chondrites: A class of meteorites rich in carbon and organic compounds, believed to originate from C-type asteroids.