Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 August 2006
A sample of 35 C–complex objects is present among near–Earth objects. In spite of the poor statistics, some striking differences compared to Main Belt asteroids can be established: for instance the percentage of near–Earth objects (NEOs) showing hydration features is very small. Moreover the spectral slope of C–complex NEOs seems to be anti–correlated with the exposure to the ion flux coming from the Sun, in contrast with the general behavior of C–complex Main Belt asteroids (and of most asteroids, in general). We discuss some possible implications and suggest some preliminary partial explanations.