How can we determine an asteroid's reflectivity?
A)by determining its mass
B)by comparing its infrared thermal emission to its visible-light reflection
C)by seeing how dark or light it looks in telescopic images
D)by determining how far from the Sun it is
E)by determining its size

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infrared thermal emission and visible-light reflection are related to the surface temperature and reflectivity of an asteroid, respectively. By comparing the two, we can determine an asteroid's reflectivity. Mass, distance from the Sun, and size do not directly relate to an asteroid's reflectivity. Dark or light appearance in telescopic images may give some indication of reflectivity, but it is not as accurate as comparing thermal emission and visible-light reflection.

How Can We Determine an Asteroid's Reflectivity