Radar and optical observations and physical modeling of near-Earth Asteroid 10115 (1992 SK)

We estimate Asteroid 1992 SK's physical properties from delay-Doppler images and Doppler-only echo spectra obtained during March 22-27, 1999, at Goldstone and from optical lightcurves obtained during February-March 1999 at Ond?ejov Observatory. The images span only about 15° of sky motion and are not strong, but they place up to twenty 40 m by 160 m pixels on the asteroid and have complete rotational phase coverage. Our analysis establishes that the radar observations are confined to subradar latitudes between −20° and −40°. The echo spectra and optical lightcurves span ∼80° of sky motion, which provides important geometric leverage on the pole direction. The lightcurves are essential for accurate estimation of the asteroid's shape and spin state. We estimate the asteroid's period to be 7.3182±0.0003 h and its pole direction to be at ecliptic longitude, latitude=(99°±5°,−3°±5°). The asteroid is about 1.4 km in maximum extent and mildly asymmetric, with an elongation of about 1.5 and relatively subdued topography. The OC radar albedo is 0.11±0.02 and the SC/OC ratio is 0.34±0.05. The current orbital solution permits accurate identification of planetary close approaches during 826-2690. We use our model to predict salient characteristics of radar images and optical lightcurves obtainable during the asteroid's March 2006 approach.     

Observation Plan for Refining Shape Model of (6) HEBE

As the number of observatories located on the surface of Earth is increasing largely in decades more and more photometric data of asteroids is observed to make the research about their various physical and chemical characteristics. Compared with hundreds of thousands of asteroids found up to now, rare hundreds of three-dimensional shape models of asteroids have been built from the tremendous photometric data with incessant observations, i.e. lightcurves. For some specific asteroid already with many observed lightcurves, the unceasing observation is not too much valuable, nevertheless an additional lightcurve observed in a request viewing aspect can refine the shape model and other related parameters. This article taking the asteroid (6) HEBE for example, attempts to introduce a method to make the observation plan by combining the request of the shape model and the orbital limitation of asteroids. Through analyzing the distribution of lightcurves of (6) HEBE, small cabins without any lightcurve data are found, which can be filled by new observations at some specified dates when the positions of Asteroid, Sun, Earth are limited as the request geometry.     

Radar and photometric observations and shape modeling of contact binary near-Earth Asteroid (8567) 1996 HW1

We observed near-Earth Asteroid (8567) 1996 HW1 at the Arecibo Observatory on six dates in September 2008, obtaining radar images and spectra. By combining these data with an extensive set of new lightcurves taken during 2008-2009 and with previously published lightcurves from 2005, we were able to reconstruct the object’s shape and spin state. 1996 HW1 is an elongated, bifurcated object with maximum diameters of 3.8 × 1.6 × 1.5 km and a contact-binary shape. It is the most bifurcated near-Earth asteroid yet studied and one of the most elongated as well. The sidereal rotation period is 8.76243 ± 0.00004 h and the pole direction is within 5° of ecliptic longitude and latitude (281°, −31°). Radar astrometry has reduced the orbital element uncertainties by 27% relative to the a priori orbit solution that was based on a half-century of optical data. Simple dynamical arguments are used to demonstrate that this asteroid could have originated as a binary system that tidally decayed and merged.     

Physical modeling of near-Earth Asteroid (29075) 1950 DA

Near-Earth Asteroid (29075) 1950 DA may closely encounter Earth in 2880. The probability of Earth impact may be as high as 1/300, but the outcome of the encounter depends critically on the physical properties of the asteroid [Giorgini et al., 2002. Science 196, 132-136]. We have used Arecibo and Goldstone radar data and optical lightcurves to estimate the shape, spin state, and surface structure of 1950 DA. The data allow two distinct models. One rotates prograde and is roughly spheroidal with mean diameter 1.16±0.12 km. The other rotates retrograde and is oblate and about 30% larger. Both models suggest a nickel-iron or enstatite chondritic composition. Ground-based observations should be able to determine which model is correct within the next several decades.     

Asteroid spin‐axis longitudes from the Lowell Observatory database

By analyzing brightness variation with ecliptic longitude and using the Lowell Observatory photometric database, we estimate spin‐axis longitudes for more than 350,000 asteroids. Hitherto, spin‐axis longitude estimates have been made for fewer than 200 asteroids. We investigate longitude distributions in different dynamical groups and asteroid families. We show that asteroid spin‐axis longitudes are not isotropically distributed as previously considered. We find that the spin‐axis longitude distribution for Main Belt asteroids is clearly nonrandom, with an excess of longitudes from the interval 30°–110° and a paucity between 120° and 180°. The explanation of the nonisotropic distribution is unknown at this point. Further studies have to be conducted to determine if the shape of the distribution can be explained by observational bias, selection effects, a real physical process, or other mechanism.     

Asteroid shape and spin statistics from convex models

We introduce techniques for characterizing convex shape models of asteroids with a small number of parameters, and apply these techniques to a set of 87 models from convex inversion. We present three different approaches for determining the overall dimensions of an asteroid. With the first technique, we measured the dimensions of the shapes in the direction of the rotation axis and in the equatorial plane and with the two other techniques, we derived the best-fit ellipsoid. We also computed the inertia matrix of the model shape to test how well it represents the target asteroid, i.e., to find indications of possible non-convex features or albedo variegation, which the convex shape model cannot reproduce. We used shape models for 87 asteroids to perform statistical analyses and to study dependencies between shape and rotation period, size, and taxonomic type. We detected correlations, but more data are required, especially on small and large objects, as well as slow and fast rotators, to reach a more thorough understanding about the dependencies. Results show, e.g., that convex models of asteroids are not that far from ellipsoids in root-mean-square sense, even though clearly irregular features are present. We also present new spin and shape solutions for Asteroids (31) Euphrosyne, (54) Alexandra, (79) Eurynome, (93) Minerva, (130) Elektra, (376) Geometria, (471) Papagena, and (776) Berbericia. We used a so-called semi-statistical approach to obtain a set of possible spin state solutions. The number of solutions depends on the abundancy of the data, which for Eurynome, Elektra, and Geometria was extensive enough for determining an unambiguous spin and shape solution. Data of Euphrosyne, on the other hand, provided a wide distribution of possible spin solutions, whereas the rest of the targets have two or three possible solutions.     

Observations of asteroids with ALMA

Thermal observations of large asteroids at millimeter wavelengths have revealed high amplitude rotational lightcurves. Such lightcurves are important constraints on thermophysical models of asteroids, and provide unique insight into the nature of their surface and subsurface composition. A better understanding of asteroid surfaces provides insight into the composition, physical structures, and processing history of these surviving remnants from the formation of our solar system. In addition, detailed observations of the larger asteroids, accompanied by thermophysical models with appropriate temporal and spatial resolution, promise to decrease uncertainties in their flux predictions. Of particular interest are the near-Earth objects, which can be observed at large phase angles, permitting better assessment of the thermal response of their unilluminated surfaces. The high sensitivity of ALMA will enable us to detect many small bodies in all the major groups, to obtain lightcurves for a large sample of main-belt and near-Earth objects, to resolve the surfaces of some large objects, and to separate the emission from primary and secondary objects in binary pairs. In addition to the science goals of asteroid studies, these bodies may also prove useful operationally because those with known shapes and well-characterized lightcurves could be employed for flux calibration by ALMA and other high frequency instruments.     

Scattering Law Analysis Based on Hapke and Lommel-Seeliger Models for Asteroidal Taxonomy

In deriving the physical properties of asteroids from their photometric data, the scattering law plays an important role, although the shape variations of asteroids result in the main variations in lightcurves. By following the physical behaviors of light reflections, Hapke et al. deduced complex functions to represent the scattering process, however, it is very hard to accurately simulate the surface scattering law in reality. For simplicity, other numerical scattering models are presented for efficiently calculating the physical properties of asteroids, such as the Lommel-Seeliger(LS) model. In this article,these two models are compared numerically. It is found that in some numerical applications the LS model in simple form with four parameters can be exploited to replace the Hapke model in complex form with five parameters. Furthermore, the generated synthetic lightcurves by the Cellinoid shape model also show that the LS model can perform as well as the Hapke model in the inversion process. Finally, by applying the Principal Component Analysis(PCA) technique to the parameters of the LS model, we present an efficient method to classify C and S type asteroids, instead of the conventional method using the parameters of the Hapke model.     

Ellipsoidal geometry in asteroid thermal models: The standard radiometric model

This paper reports results of the incorporation of ellipsoidal geometry into the standard radiometric model for asteroids. For small departures from spherical shape the standard model using spherical geometry predicts fluxes in good agreement with ellipsoidal models. Large departures from spherical shape, however, can produce substantial differences in the calculated flux depending on the subsolar temperature and the wavelength of interest. The results derived here suggest that radiometric measurements of highly nonspherical, low-obliquity asteroids interpreted with spherical models result in systematically smaller diameter and higher albedos. In addition, non-spherical shape can also result in a systematic difference in the diameter of a particular asteroid derived from separate 10- and 20-μm flux measurements interpreted with spherical models. Thermal-infrared diurnal lightcurves calculated for ellipsoids have amplitudes that depend on wavelength as well as projected area, and phase curves calculated for ellipsoids are indistinguishable from those calculated for spheres.     

Spin vectors in the Koronis family: comprehensive results from two independent analyses of 213 rotation lightcurves

Observations of Koronis asteroid family members (158) Koronis, (277) Elvira, (311) Claudia, (321) Florentina, and (720) Bohlinia made during the period 1998-2001 yielded 61 new individual rotation lightcurves to augment previous surveys (R.P. Binzel, 1987, Icarus 72, 135-208; S.M. Slivan, R.P. Binzel, 1996, Icarus 124, 452-470) and allow determination of the senses of rotation and spin vector orientations for these objects. Spin vector reductions were performed on these five objects and also on family members (167) Urda, (208) Lacrimosa, (534) Nassovia, and (1223) Neckar using both a combination of amplitude-magnitude and epoch methods and a convex inversion method. A total of 213 individual lightcurves were analyzed to determine sidereal rotation periods, pole solutions and obliquities, associated photometric parameters, and model shapes for each object. We checked our methods and results using the (243) Ida Master Dataset of lightcurves (R. P. Binzel et al., 1993, Icarus 105, 310-325) and found that the true pole determined from the Galileo fly by of this irregularly shaped member of the Koronis family falls just at the edge of the estimated uncertainty of our own solution. Our findings for the spin vector distribution of 10 members within the Koronis family represent the first systematic study of spin states within a well-established Hirayama family, and provide observational constraints for models of the physics of family formation and spin vector evolution in the main belt.     

Photometric analysis of Eros from NEAR data

A photometric model of (433) Eros at wavelengths from 450 to 1050 nm is constructed using the combination of the images from the multispectral imager (MSI) obtained during the one-year long orbital phase of the NEAR mission, ground-based lightcurves from earlier observations, and our theoretical forward modeling simulations coupled with the NEAR shape model. The single scattering albedo is found to be 0.33±0.03 at 550 nm, which is smaller than past findings by 30%. The amplitude and width of the opposition effect are 1.4±0.1 and 0.010±0.004 from ground based lightcurves. It is confirmed that the asymmetry factor of the single-particle phase function and the surface roughness parameter do not depend on wavelength from 450 to 1050 nm, and their values are estimated to be −0.25±0.02 and 28°±3°, respectively, comparable with the earlier measurements from the NEAR NIS data. The geometric albedo and the Bond albedo at 550 nm are calculated to be 0.23 and 0.093, respectively, which make Eros less reflective than previous models, but still slightly more reflective than average S-type asteroids. The lower albedos of Eros are more consistent with our forward modeling simulations, as well as with its spectrum. Eros is a typical S-type asteroid like (951) Gaspra and (243) Ida, and has similar surface regolith properties. Combining the single-scattering albedo with the olivine composition of ordinary chondrites, taking into account space weathering darkening, we constrain the grain size of the regolith particles on Eros to a range of 50 to 100 μm.     

Photometric observations and modelling of the asteroid 85 Io in conjunction with data from an occultation event during the 1995–96 apparition

The asteroid 85 Io has been observed using CCD and photoelectric photometry on 18 nights during its 1995–96 and 1997 apparitions. We present the observed lightcurves, determined colour indices and modelling of the asteroid spin vector and shape. The colour indices (U-B = 0.35±0.02, B-V = 0.66±0.02, V-R = 0.34±0.02, R-I = 0.36±0.02) are as expected for a C-type asteroid. The allowed spin vector solutions have the pole co-ordinates λ₀ = 285±4°, β₀ = −52±9° or λ₀ = 108±10°, β₀ = −46±10° and λ₀ = 290±10°, β₀ = −16±10° with a retrograde sense of rotation and a sidereal period P_sid = 0^d.286463±0^d.000001. During the 1995–96 apparition the International Occultation Time Association (IOTA) observed an occultation event by 85 Io. The observations and modelling presented here were analysed together with the occultation data to develop improved constraints on the size of the asteroid. The derived value of 164 km is about 5% larger than the IRAS diameter. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.     

Physical properties of near-Earth Asteroid (33342) 1998 WT24

During its close Earth approach in 2001, the E-class near-Earth Asteroid (33342) 1998 WT24 was the focus of extensive radar, optical, and thermal infrared observations. We present a physical model of this object, estimated from Arecibo and Goldstone radar images that cover multiple rotations and span over 100° of sky motion. The asteroid has an equivalent diameter of 415±40 m and a diffuse radar scattering law that is identical in both senses of circular polarization, implying a surface that is extremely rough on centimeter-to-decimeter scales. The shape is dominated by three large basins, which may be impact craters or a relic of past dynamical disruption of the object. Analysis of YORP perturbations on WT24's spin state predicts that the asteroid's spin rate is decreasing at a rate of . Simply extrapolating this rate suggests that the asteroid will despin over the next 150 kyr and was spinning at its surface disruption rate 75 kyr ago, but the rotational evolution of WT24 depends on the surface's thermal properties and probably is more complex than a simple spin-down.     

The OSIRIS‐REx target asteroid (101955) Bennu: Constraints on its physical,geological, and dynamical nature from astronomical observations

We review the results of an extensive campaign to determine the physical, geological, and dynamical properties of asteroid (101955) Bennu. This investigation provides information on the orbit, shape, mass, rotation state, radar response, photometric, spectroscopic, thermal, regolith, and environmental properties of Bennu. We combine these data with cosmochemical and dynamical models to develop a hypothetical timeline for Bennu's formation and evolution. We infer that Bennu is an ancient object that has witnessed over 4.5 Gyr of solar system history. Its chemistry and mineralogy were established within the first 10 Myr of the solar system. It likely originated as a discrete asteroid in the inner Main Belt approximately 0.7–2 Gyr ago as a fragment from the catastrophic disruption of a large (approximately 100‐km), carbonaceous asteroid. It was delivered to near‐Earth space via a combination of Yarkovsky‐induced drift and interaction with giant‐planet resonances. During its journey, YORP processes and planetary close encounters modified Bennu's spin state, potentially reshaping and resurfacing the asteroid. We also review work on Bennu's future dynamical evolution and constrain its ultimate fate. It is one of the most Potentially Hazardous Asteroids with an approximately 1‐in‐2700 chance of impacting the Earth in the late 22nd century. It will most likely end its dynamical life by falling into the Sun. The highest probability for a planetary impact is with Venus, followed by the Earth. There is a chance that Bennu will be ejected from the inner solar system after a close encounter with Jupiter. OSIRIS‐REx will return samples from the surface of this intriguing asteroid in September 2023.     

Flattening,pole, and albedo features of 4 vesta from photometric data

A number of large asteroids show irregular lightcurves of relatively small amplitude and/or ambiguous rotational periods. These observations and the fact that their strong gravitational binding probably results in quasi-equilibrium shapes lead to model these bodies as axisymmetric, biaxial ellipsoids covered by albedo markings. We developed a general numerical algorithm for obtaining simulated lightcurves of “spotted” asteroids and varied the most critical geometrical and physical parameters (albedo contrast, size, and position of the spots; polar coordinates, and shape of the asteroid). We then analyzed the case of 4 Vesta by assuming an axisymmetric ellipsoidal shape with a large brighter region on one hemisphere, in agreement with the results of photometric and polarimetric observations. Fitting the numerical simulations to the available data, we obtained the flattening of the ellipsoid (0.79 ± 0.03), the albedo contrast and geometry of the brighter region, and the orientation of the polar axis. If the derived flattenning corresponds to the equilibrium shape of a nearly homogeneous body, a density of 2.4 ± 0.3 g cm⁻³ can be inferred. These results show satisfactory agreement with values by different techniques. We plan to apply the same method both to other large asteroids and to smaller, irregularly shaped ones; in the latter case, this will allow us to test the uncertainties in current pole determination methods.     

Spectral study of the Eunomia asteroid family : I. Eunomia

We present color ratio curves of the S-Asteroid 15 Eunomia, which have been extracted from high-precision photometric lightcurves obtained in three different VNIR wavelength bands at the Bochum Telescope, La Silla. The measured color ratio curves and near infrared spectra were used to derive a detailed surface composition model whose shape has been computed by V-lightcurve inversions. According to this analysis, the asteroid shows on one hemisphere a higher concentration of pyroxene, which causes an increased 440/700 nm and a reduced 940/700 nm reflectance ratio as well as a pronounced 2-μm absorption band. The remaining surface shows a higher concentration of olivine, leading to a reduced 440/700 nm and slightly increased 940/700 nm color ratio. In addition, we found that the maximum of the 440/700 nm color ratio curve coincide with the minimum of the 940/700 nm color ratio curve and vice versa. We demonstrate on the basis of USGS laboratory spectra that this anti-cyclical behavior can be explained by choosing Fe-rich olivine and a pyroxene with moderate Fe content as varying mineral phases. Furthermore, our observations confirm that 15 Eunomia is an irregular elongated and at least partially differentiated body. Previous spectral investigations of several smaller fragments of the Eunomia asteroid family revealed that the amount of fragments showing an increased pyroxene content exceeds the amount of pyroxene-poor fragments (Nathues, 2000, DLR Forschungsbericht, ISSN 1434-8454). This finding together with the observation that the major fraction of Eunomia's surface is enriched in olivine let us claim that a large fraction of the original pyroxene-enriched crust layer has been lost due to a major collision that created the Eunomia asteroid family. Significant spectral evidences, consistent with high concentrations of metals have been found neither in the rotational resolved spectra of 15 Eunomia nor in its fragments. This led to the conclusion that either no core consisting mainly of metals exists or that an eventual one has not been unearthed by the impact.     

Worldwide photometry and lightcurve observations of 1 Ceres during the 1975–1976 apparition

We present 19 lightcurves of asteroid 1 Ceres obtained during a global campaign in 1975–1976. The synodic period is 0.37812 ± 0.00004 day. The mean absolute V magnitude is 3.61 ± 0.03 and the phase coefficient is 0.40 ± 0.001 mag/deg. The U-B and B-V phase coefficients are +0.0015 ± 0.0007 and +0.0006 ± 0.0003 mag/deg, respectively. The colors at zero phase are B-V = +0.70 ± 0.01 and U-B = +0.41 ± 0.01.     

The Near-Earth Objects Follow-Up Program

We present the results of photometric observations of the near-Earth asteroids (1943) Anteros, (2102) Tantalus, (2212) Hephaistos, (3199) Nefertiti, (5751) Zao = 1992 AC, (6322) 1991 CQ, (7474) 1992 TC, and 1989 VA made between 1982 and 1995. Synodic rotation periods in the range from 2.39 to 5.54 hr were derived for five of them, and we were able to place lower limits on periods of (2212) and (5751)—both > 20 hr. Only the period of the low amplitude case of (1943) was not constrained. The most interesting results were obtained for the following objects: (2102), a fast rotator (period 2.39 hr) in an extremely inclined orbit (i≈ 64°); (2212), a low amplitude slow rotator considered as an inactive cometary nucleus candidate; (3199), which showed similar lightcurves at quite different positions of the phase angle bisector, constraining its rotational pole; and 1989 VA, an unusual Aten asteroid with a rotation period of 2.51 hr and a relatively large amplitude. Overall, these results continue the pattern that NEO spins exhibit a bimodal distribution of spin rates.     

On the cause of the discrepancy between groundbased and spaceborne lightcurves of Ganymede and Callisto in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">V</Emphasis> band

Properties of the surfaces of Jupiter’s satellites—Ganymede and Callisto—are shortly described. Their images acquired in space missions are shown. Causes of the discrepancy between orbital lightcurves of the satellites obtained from the earth and spaceborne maps of the satellites are considered. The groundbased observations were carried out under phase angles of solar illumination ranging from 0° to 12°, and the maps were built from images acquired from spacecraft in a wide interval of solar phase angles. We suggest that the main cause of the discrepancies between the lightcurves is the coherent backscattering effect observed only at small phase angles of the sun.