The ultimate goal in meteorite-asteroid studies is to understand the links between meteorite classes and their asteroid parent bodies. This will allow effective use of detailed knowledge of meteorite petrology to study records they preserve of solar system formation in the asteroid regions. This research is focused on asteroid observations at spectroscopic resolution sufficient to define specific mineralogies and meteoritic linkages, and these telescopic observations will be supported with laboratory analog measurements. Certain asteroids have been selected on the basis of their anomalous low-resolution IR spectral properties, recently discovered among the results of the Seven Color Infrared Asteroid Survey of smaller (-50 K,) main-belt objects (Clark et al. 1994). These asteroids are targeted for further study due to their promising affinities to some of the more elusive meteorite parent bodies. At project conclusion, a modified model for asteroid belt evolution will be presented. Interactive activities include: 1) a graduate course will be taught on astronomy of the Solar System, 2) a seminar will be offered on current readings on proto-planetary nebulae and star formation regions, such as these fields have come to bear on studies of the meteorite record, and 3) a workshop seminar will be led for graduate and undergraduate students with the purpose of constructing an introductory astronomy class curriculum. On the theory that the best student is a teacher, students will be asked to lead the class.
