Extraordinary colors of asteroidal object (5145) 1992 AD

The colors of the recently discovered 1992 AD indicate a heretofore unknown spectral class, with colors that are far redder than those of any asteroids and comets thus far studied. It is suggested that the redness may be due to the exposure of organic substances that are purer than those associated with C, P, and D asteroids and comets, and therefore more likely to exhibit diagnostic spectral features in the IR.