Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 134, 463-471

A spectroscopic study of the Themis family

M. Florczak^1,2 - D. Lazzaro¹ - T. Mothé-Diniz¹ - C.A. Angeli¹ - A.S. Betzler¹

1 - CNPq/Observatório Nacional Depto. Astrofísica, 20921-400 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
e-mail: florczak@on.br, lazzaro@on.br
2 - CEFET, Depto. Física, 80000 Curitiba, Brazil

Received July 3; accepted September 4, 1998

Abstract:

We present spectroscopic observations of 36 asteroids, members of the Themis family. These observations were carried on at the European Southern Observatory in the wavelength range 4900 - 9200 Å. Most of the objects present a spectra similar to C-type asteroids and some of them present indicative of aqueous alteration. We discuss the implications of these results on the formation and evolution of this family.

Key words: minor planets, asteroids