  Context. After landing on C-type asteroid Ryugu, MASCOT imaged brightly
colored, submillimeter-sized inclusions in a small rock. Hayabusa2 successfully
returned a sample of small particles from the surface of Ryugu, but none of
these appear to harbor such inclusions. The samples are considered
representative of Ryugu. Aims. To understand the apparent discrepancy between
MASCOT observations and Ryugu samples, we assess whether the MASCOT landing
site, and the rock by implication, is perhaps atypical for Ryugu. Methods. We
analyzed observations of the MASCOT landing area acquired by three instruments
on board Hayabusa2: a camera (ONC), a near-infrared spectrometer (NIRS3), and a
thermal infrared imager (TIR). We compared the landing area properties thus
retrieved with those of the average Ryugu surface. Results. We selected several
areas and landforms in the landing area for analysis: a small crater, a
collection of smooth rocks, and the landing site itself. The crater is
relatively blue and the rocks are relatively red. The spectral and
thermophysical properties of the landing site are very close to those of the
average Ryugu surface. The spectral properties of the MASCOT rock are probably
close to average, but its thermal inertia may be somewhat higher. Conclusions.
The MASCOT rock can also be considered representative of Ryugu. Some of the
submillimeter-sized particles in the returned samples stand out because of
their atypical spectral properties. Such particles may be present as inclusions
in the MASCOT rock.
