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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0The Planetary Science Journal

Spectral Evolution of Ceres’ Surface and Implications for Space Weathering

  • Qing 庆 Zhang 张1
  • Jian-Yang 荐扬 Li 李1,2
  • Yazhou 亚洲 Yang 杨2
  • Minge 民歌 Liu 刘2,3
  • Yang 洋 Liu 刘2,3
  1. 1Sun Yat-sen University
  2. 2Chinese Academy of Sciences
  3. 3University of Chinese Academy of Science
Open at sourcePDFDOICite

Abstract

The surface of Ceres exposed to the space environment will be gradually altered, but the evolution of its spectral properties remains poorly understood. Here we analyze visible and infrared spectra acquired by the Dawn mission to investigate spectral variations across different surface units. We identify local shifts of a few nm toward shorter wavelengths in the 2.7 µ m band center, predominantly associated with freshly exposed slumping and impact materials. Our analysis suggests that compositional variations in Ceres’ regolith are unlikely to be the explanation for the band center shift, and therefore it may represent a spectral evolution within 10 ⁶ yr. Combining previous studies about the spectral reddening on Ceres, we propose a two-stage spectral evolution on Ceres. The blueshifted regions are interpreted as the youngest materials. Within 10 ⁶ yr after exposure, these materials become spectrally bluer, the 2.7 µ m band weakens, and its center shifts toward longer wavelengths. Then the evolution is characterized by spectral reddening and strengthening of the 2.7 µ m band without the band center shift. Based on the previous laboratory work and observations on other C-complex asteroids, we suggest that the observed spectral variations may be attributed to the chemical and/or physical changes of the regolith, possibly associated with space weathering.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{张2026spectral,
  title = {{Spectral Evolution of Ceres’ Surface and Implications for Space Weathering}},
  author = {Qing 庆 Zhang 张 and Jian-Yang 荐扬 Li 李 and Yazhou 亚洲 Yang 杨 and Minge 民歌 Liu 刘 and Yang 洋 Liu 刘},
  journal = {The Planetary Science Journal},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3847/psj/aea791},
  url = {https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/aea791},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Spectral Evolution of Ceres’ Surface and Implications for Space Weathering
AU  - Qing 庆 Zhang 张
AU  - Jian-Yang 荐扬 Li 李
AU  - Yazhou 亚洲 Yang 杨
AU  - Minge 民歌 Liu 刘
AU  - Yang 洋 Liu 刘
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/09
JO  - The Planetary Science Journal
DO  - 10.3847/psj/aea791
UR  - https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/aea791
AB  - The surface of Ceres exposed to the space environment will be gradually altered, but the evolution of its spectral properties remains poorly understood. Here we analyze visible and infrared spectra acquired by the Dawn mission to investigate spectral variations across different surface units. We identify local shifts of a few nm toward shorter wavelengths in the 2.7 µ m band center, predominantly associated with freshly exposed slumping and impact materials. Our analysis suggests that compositional variations in Ceres’ regolith are unlikely to be the explanation for the band center shift, and therefore it may represent a spectral evolution within 10 ⁶ yr. Combining previous studies about the spectral reddening on Ceres, we propose a two-stage spectral evolution on Ceres. The blueshifted regions are interpreted as the youngest materials. Within 10 ⁶ yr after exposure, these materials become spectrally bluer, the 2.7 µ m band weakens, and its center shifts toward longer wavelengths. Then the evolution is characterized by spectral reddening and strengthening of the 2.7 µ m band without the band center shift. Based on the previous laboratory work and observations on other C-complex asteroids, we suggest that the observed spectral variations may be attributed to the chemical and/or physical changes of the regolith, possibly associated with space weathering.
SN  - 2632-3338
ER  -