Taxonomic classification of the Flora family neighbourhood using a hybrid approach

ABSTRACT To contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the asteroid Flora family, we analysed the reflectance spectra of 151 asteroids whose orbital characteristics align with this family, including 20 control objects. Following our analysis, using optical spectra acquired at the Guillermo Haro Astrophysical Observatory and applying the Bus & Binzel taxonomy, we propose new taxonomic classifications for 82 sample objects and confirm the published classifications for 65 of 69. Our results confirm the predominance of S-type asteroids (128) in the vicinity of the Flora family, followed by the X-type (10), C-type (7), and V-type (6) asteroids. Furthermore, building on the knowledge of the family’s average surface mineralogical composition, we identified eight potential interlopers: five X-type, two C-type, and one V-type asteroids. Our methodology for performing taxonomic classification is multi-analytical, incorporating the development and implementation of a parametric algorithm (weight function) alongside three k-nearest neighbors methods. This study represents one of the most detailed taxonomic maps of the Flora family neighbourhood to date, significantly enhancing our understanding of its compositional diversity.