The Surface Mineralogy of the Spinel-rich Asteroids from Mid-infrared Spectroscopy with JWST

The Planetary Science Journal 2026 Open access

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Authors: Katherine de Kleer, Bethany L. Ehlmann, Seth A. Jacobson, Ian Wong, François L. H. Tissot, Audrey Martin, Melissa D. Lane, Oliver R. T. King
DOI: 10.3847/psj/ae374e
Cited by: 0
References: 114

Abstract

Abstract The “Barbarian” L-type asteroids are purported to contain a high abundance of calcium–aluminum inclusions (CAIs), the oldest solar system solids, based on the dominance of the mineral spinel in their near-infrared spectra. We observed a sample of five objects of this class at 5–28 μ m with the Medium-Resolution Spectrometer mode of the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope. The spectra indicate high-porosity (85%–97% porosity) particulate regolith (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Astro and Planetary Science Planetary Science and Exploration Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
The Planetary Science Journal
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
36–36
Publication date
1 February 2026
Language
EN