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[4.06] Exploring the Comet Component Within the Near-Earth Object Population

R. P. Binzel, J. S. Stuart, A. S. Rivkin (MIT), M. Delbo, A. W. Harris (DLR/Berlin), A. W. Harris (JPL), S. J. Bus (U. Hawaii)

We report on a combined observational program to determine the spectroscopic and albedo distributions of the near-Earth object (NEO) population. Coupling these observed distributions with a bias correction model (taking into account both NEO discovery biases and our own observational sampling biases) we model the bias-free fractions of the major taxonomic groupings. Our focus for this talk is determining the fraction of the NEO population that is likely derived from extinct comet nuclei. Our analysis in identifying extinct comet candidates includes evaluating the most likely analogous taxonomic groupings, albedo groupings, and orbital characteristics. We will compare our observationally based results with dynamical models for the extinct comet component within the near-Earth object population.

This research supported by NASA, the National Science Foundation, and DLR.

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34, #3< br> © 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.