Question

How can we determine an asteroid's reflectivity?

A. by comparing its infrared thermal emission to its visible-light reflection
B. by determining how far from the Sun it is
C. by determining its mass
D. by seeing how dark or light it looks in telescopic images
E. by determining its size

Answer 1

Astronomers determine an asteroid's reflectivity by studying the spectrum of light reflected from it.

Step-by-step explanation:

Astronomers determine an asteroid's reflectivity by studying the spectrum of light reflected from it. The reflectivity, also known as the albedo, is a measure of how much light an asteroid reflects. By analyzing the different wavelengths of light reflected, astronomers can determine the composition and reflectivity of the asteroid. For example, if an asteroid reflects more visible light than infrared radiation, it would have a higher albedo. Therefore, option D, by seeing how dark or light it looks in telescopic images, is the correct answer.