Understanding the Polana and Eurybates asteroid families using NIR spectroscopy

Asteroid families offer a glimpse into the collisional processes that formed the main belt. Asteroid family members are found throughout the solar system, from near-Earth space to the Kuiper belt. This talk will include new NIR spectroscopic observations of asteroids from two families: the New Polana family and the Eurybates family. The New Polana parent body (142) Polana was observed with JWST and is compared to spectra of Bennu and Ryugu to test the hypothesis that both NEAs originated in the new Polana family before being delivered to near-Earth space. (3548) Eurybates is the parent body of the Eurybates family, and visible spectroscopic observations of the parent body have shown differences in reflectance with rotation. We observed the three largest family members, (3548) Eurybates, (8060) Anius, and (18060) Zarex, with IRTF at two points in their rotation to see if the proposed heterogeneity can be seen at NIR wavelengths and on other family members.