The spectra of the V-type asteroids or Vestoids are similar to that of
4 Vesta, by far the largest asteroid in this class (hence the name). A large proportion have orbital elements similar to those of 4 Vesta, either close enough to be part of the
Vesta family, or having similar
eccentricities and
inclinations but with a
semi-major axis lying between about 2.18
AU and the 3:1
Kirkwood gap at 2.50 AU. This suggests that most or all of them originated as fragments of Vesta's crust, possibly blasted out by a single very large impact at some point in its history. The enormous southern-hemisphere crater on Vesta is the prime candidate for the impact site .
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