JVI Himalia: New compositional evidence and interpretations for the originof Jupiter's small satellites

New narrowband spectrophotometric data of JVI Himalia support its C-type cl assification. Two spectra taken on successive nights are rotationally sampl ed. The new spectra confirm the presence of a weak absorption feature cente red near 0.7 mu m attributed to oxidized iron in phyllosilicates, products of aqueous alteration. Evaluation of the UBV photometry of JVI Himalia and JVII Elara compared to the UBV photometry of C-class (and subclass) asteroi ds showing spectral evidence of the 0.7-mu m absorption feature, and the ne w spectra compared with ECAS photometry of B-, F-, and some C-class asteroi ds, suggests that JVI Himalia is an F-class asteroid, a subclass of the Cs, We propose that the parent body of the prograde outer jovian satellites or iginated as part of the dynamical Nysa asteroid family. Evolutionary models of the Jovian system are used to address the capture and dispersal of the irregular satellites. (C) 2000 Academic Press.