Reflectance spectroscopy is a technique used for the investigation of atmosphereless bodies. The sunlight is analyzed after its reflection by the asteroid surface. The modifications occurred during the interaction with the asteroid's surface are due to the mineralogical composition of regolith and its physical characteristics. By determining the wavelengths interval of spectral absoprtion, and how strongly each band is absorbed, we can determine the mineral mixture of the asteroid's surface.

The lecture will present the basis of reflectance spectroscopy in the spectral interval of the visible and near-infrared, as well as the methods of characterization of NEOs using these spectral data. A brief introduction of M4AST, the online tool developed for modelling asteroid spectra, will be also presented and some practical exercises are proposed.