Composition of Asteroids and Their Formation and Evolution Within the Solar System

The mineralogical composition of asteroids indicates a further understanding of the evolution of the solar system. While prior research has been conducted on the compositions of specific asteroids, this research analyzes multiple classifications of asteroids to create a broader narrative on the formation of the solar system. This research focuses on six asteroids along with an example of each type: C-type Ceres, M-type Psyche, B-type Bennu, S-type Itokawa and Dinkinesh, and V-type Vesta. Focusing on the mineralogy, age, density, and structure in comparison to each asteroid’s relative location in the solar system and to the Sun, the research concluded that the mineralogical composition of asteroids is highly correlated to their location within the solar system. The distance from the sun and the resulting thermal energy play a large role in the differentiation of the minerals and their location within the structure of the asteroid. The mineralogy of the asteroids studied provided detailed insight into where they originated and the conditions of where they formed. In addition to the upcoming Psyche sample results and OSIRIS-APEx mission, possible future research in this area could include analysis of Kuiper Belt objects in a similar manner to that which is done in this research.