First fragment of Asteroid 4 Vesta's mantle detected

► Near-IR spectrum of near-Earth Asteroid 1999 TA10 suggests a composition similar to diogenite meteorites from the mantle of Asteroid Vesta. ► This is the first fragment of Vesta's mantle detected in near-Earth space. ► The presence of mantle fragment provides us with a constraint on the on the thickness of Vesta's mantle, assuming it came from the south pole impact basin. ► Based on the thickness ratio of Vesta's crust, mantle and core, we think Vesta's parent material was more oxidized.