UBV photometry of small and distant asteroids

Photoelectric magnitudes and colors on the UBV system are presented for 65 minor planets, including four Mars crossers, six Trojans, and main-belt objects down to 6 km in diameter. The Trojans all have very similar colors not characteristics of the main-belt population. A paucity of S-type asteroids at the smallest diameters, predicted from trends seen at larger sizes, is not observed. The newly available color data for small objects ranging from 1.0 to 5.2 AU in heliocentric distance show the main belt to be a transition zone between predominantly silicate and carbonaceous compositions.     

B and V lightcurves and pole positions of three S-class asteroids

B. anb V lightcurves have been obtained for three S-class asteroids—29 Amphitrite, 39 Laetitia, and 43 Ariadne. Pole positions and shapes for each of these asteroids are derived, and comments on small features present in their lightcurves are made. A small color variation for 39 Laetitia is also found.     

On the secular decrease in the semimajor axis of Lageos's orbit

The semimajor axis of the Lageos satellite's orbit is decreasing secularly at the rate of 1.1 mm day^–1. Ten possible mechanisms are investigated to discover which one (s), if any, might be causing the orbit to decay. Six of the mechanisms, resonance with the Earth's gravitational field, gravitational radiation, the Poynting-Robertson effect, transfer of spin angular momentum to the orbital angular momentum, drag from near-earth dust, and atmospheric drag by neutral hydrogen are ruled out because they are too small or require unacceptable assumptions to account for the observed rate of decay. Three other mechanisms, the Yarkovsky effect, the Schach effect, and terrestrial radiation pressure give perturbations whose characteristic signatures do not agree with the observed secular decrease (terrestrial radiation pressure appears to be too small in any case); hence they are also ruled out. Charged particle drag with the ions at Lageos's altitude is probably the principal cause of the orbital decay. An estimate of charged particle drag based upon laboratory experiments and satellite measurements of ion number densities accounts for 60 percent of the observed rate of decrease in the semimajor axis, assuming a satellite potential of –1V. This figure is in good agreement with other estimates based on charge drag theory. A satellite potential of –1.5V will explain the entire decay rate. Atmospheric drag from neutral hydrogen appears to be the next largest effect, explaining about 10 percent of the observed orbital decay rate.     

Collisions, cosmic radiation and the colors of the Trojan asteroids

The Trojan asteroids orbit about the Lagrangian points of Jupiter and the residence times about their present location are very long for most of them. If these bodies originated in the outer Solar System, they should be mainly composed of water ice, but, in contrast with comets, all the volatiles close to the surface would have been lost long ago. Irrespective of the rotation period, and hence the surface temperature and ice sublimation rate, a dust layer exists always on the surface. We show that the timescale for resurfacing the entire surface of the Trojan asteroids is similar to that of the flattening of the red spectrum of the new dust by solar-proton irradiation. This, if the cut-off radius of the size distribution of the impacting objects is between 1 mm and 1 m and its slope is −3, for the entire size range. Therefore, the surfaces of most Trojan asteroids should be composed mainly of unirradiated dust.     

Selecting candidate V-type asteroids from the analysis of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey colors

We present a systematic method to identify possible basaltic (V-type) asteroids using the Moving Objects Catalog (MOC) of the SDSS. The method is based on the Principal Components Analysis of the MOC colors combined with some refined criteria of segregation of the taxonomic classes. We found several V-type candidates outside the Vesta family, most of them in the inner asteroid belt. We also identified a few candidates in the middle/outer belt. Notwithstanding, their basaltic nature still needs to be conformed by spectroscopy, and these candidates are potential targets for observation using large telescopes.     

Surface composition of Hilda asteroids from the analysis of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey colors

In this paper we search for photometric data of asteroids in the Hilda region in the Moving Object Catalogue of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to find the spectral characteristics of small members of this group. We found that the correlation between size and spectral slope previously suggested for Hilda asteroids is correct only for large objects (H<12) but it is not supported by data obtained for the small ones. The best possibility to explain this behavior is that a space weathering process affecting the surface properties of these primitive objects is operating, modulated by a collisional resurfacing process affected by the lack of small projectiles in the population. Despite the intrinsic limitations of the few band photometry of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the analysis presented is based mainly in the detection of spectral slopes providing enough good indication about the taxonomic type of these asteroids and making us confident about our conclusions.     

Constraining albedo,diameter and composition of near-Earth asteroids via near-infrared spectroscopy

We present a method to constrain the albedo and diameters of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) based on thermal flux in their near-infrared spectra (0.7–2.5 μm) using the Standard Thermal Model. Near-infrared spectra obtained with the SpeX instrument on NASA Infrared Telescope Facility are used to estimate the albedo and diameters of 12 NEAs (1992 JE, 1992 UY4, 1999 JD6, 2004 XP14, 2005 YY93, 2007 DS84, 2005 AD13, 2005 WJ56, 1999 JM8, 2005 RC34, 2003 YE45, and 2008 QS11). Albedo estimates were compared with average albedo for various taxonomic classes outlined by Thomas et al. (Thomas, C.A. et al. [2011]. Astron. J. 142(3)) and are consistent with their results. Spectral band parameters, like band centers, are derived and compared to spectra of laboratory mineral mixtures and meteorites to constrain their composition and possible meteorite analogs. Based on our study we estimate the albedos and diameters of these NEAs and compare them with those obtained by other techniques such as ground-based mid-infrared, Spitzer thermal infrared and Arecibo radar. Our results are broadly consistent with the results from other direct methods like radar. Determining the compositions of low albedo asteroids is a challenge due to the lack of deep silicate absorption features. However, based on weak absorption features and albedo, we suggest possible meteorite analogs for these NEAs, which include black chondrites, CM2 carbonaceous chondrites and enstatite achondrites. We did not find any specific trends in albedo and composition among the asteroids we observed.     

Taxonomy of asteroids in the Cybele region from the analysis of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey colors

In this paper we search for photometric data of asteroids in the outer region of the Hecuba gap in the Moving Object Catalogue of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to find the spectrophotometric characteristics of small members of this group. We found that the correlation between size and spectral slope previously identified for Cybele asteroids is correct only for large objects (H_V<12) but it is not supported by data obtained for the small ones. This result argues against the scenario suggesting that D-type objects are more fragile than P-types, favoring disruptive collisions of precursors of the first type and resulting in a larger fraction of the smaller body population being collisional fragments from a few large D-type precursors. A statistical comparison of the spectral slope histograms of Cybeles and Hildas showed that it is not possible to reject the hypothesis that both samples were obtained from the same population at a confident limit of 90%. This result could be indicative of certain homogeneity in the taxonomic distributions of the outer belt populations due to a similar original composition and/or a similar resurfacing processes of these distant bodies. Despite the intrinsic limitations of the five band photometry of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the analysis presented is based mainly in the detection of spectral slopes thus providing sufficient indication of the taxonomic type of these asteroids and making us confident about our conclusions.     

UBV photometry of the Galilean satellites

UBV observations of the Galilean satellites made at Lowell Observatory and Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory during 1973 and 1974 are reported. The dependence of brightness on solar phase angle for various faces of each satellite is determined. Significant differences in this dependence are found between different faces of the same satellite, between satellites, and between the present results and those of previous investigators. Rotational light and color-index curves are presented for the satellites and compared with earlier work. An apparent secular brightening of all four satellites between 1973 and 1974 is discussed.     

On the deflection of asteroids with mirrors

This paper presents an analysis of an asteroid deflection method based on multiple solar concentrators. A model of the deflection through the sublimation of the surface material of an asteroid is presented, with simulation results showing the achievable impact parameter with, and without, accounting for the effects of mirror contamination due to the ejected debris plume. A second model with simulation results is presented analyzing an enhancement of the Yarkovsky effect, which provides a significant deflection even when the surface temperature is not high enough to sublimate. Finally the dynamical model of solar concentrators in the proximity of an irregular celestial body are discussed, together with a Lyapunov-based controller to maintain the spacecraft concentrators at a required distance from the asteroid.     

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.     

UBV observation and analysis of VV Orionis

TheUBV photoelectric observation of the eclipsing binary star VV Ori were made at Al-Battani Observatory, Baghdad, Iraq, during nine nights in November and December, 1984 and January, 1985. As a result, three light curves were completed.An analysis of theB andV normal points light curves using the optimization method shows the existence of a slight shift in the primary mid-minimum epoch and the temperature of the secondary component is consistent with B5-type star. A new set of geometrical and physical elements is also presented.     

UBV photometry and light-curve analysis of Algol

Photoelectric observations of the eclipsing variable β Per, were obtained inUBV standard system, and new elements for the primary minimum were determined as $$J.D. = 2445641.5135,O - C = 0_.^d 0.009.$$ The light curves of the system were analysed using Fourier techniques in the frequency-domain. The fractional radii of both components are $$r_1 = 0.217 \pm 0.002,r_2 = 0.233 \pm 0.002andi = 85.5 \pm 0.5.$$ Absolute elements were derived and the effective temperatures are $$T_1 = 11800K,T_2 = 5140K.$$      

UBV photometry of the eclipsing binary RZ Eridani

U, B, andV observations of RZ Eri have been reported. Colours of comparison stars BD-10°994, BD-10°996 and of the variable RZ Eri have been presented. The observations of RZ Eri do not indicate the distortion wave in the light curve beyond observational scatter.     

UBV photometry of the WR binary CQ Cephei

Photoelectric observations of the WR binary CQ Cephei (WN6+O9) are presented. the depths of the eclipses in the light curves are best represented by an inclination of the orbit i = (68°.8±0.6) and the width of the very asymmetric eclipse curves can be represented by only an overcontact configuration (Ω₁ = Ω₂ = 3.65 ± 0.05, and f = 27%). Simultaneous solution of the light and radial velocity curves strongly supports CQ Cep's membership of the Cep OB1 association. By considering this membership we obtained absolute dimensions of the system, which lead to a consistent physical model for CQ Cephei. The more luminous WR primary turns out to be the hotter but slightly less massive component: M_WR = 20.8 M⊙, R_WR = 8.2R⊙, T_eff(WR) = 43600 K, and M_o = 21.4 M⊙, R_o = 8.3 R⊙, T_eff(O) = 37000 K.     

Properties of collision trajectories of asteroids with the earth

Close encounters of asteroids with the Earth can lead to a transition to resonant orbits, close encounters, and collisions in the future. The structure of the sets of possible collisions of asteroids with the Earth is similar to a fractal structure thanks to resonant returns of asteroids. Areas of semi-major axes and positions and sizes of gaps leading to collisions with the Earth for Apophis asteroids 2007 VK184 and 2011 AG5 are given.     

UBV observations of the eclipsing binary FW Monocerotis

Photoelectric observations of FW Monocerotis inU,B, andV filters have been discussed. The depths of the primary minimum inU BV colours are 2 _. ^m 63, 2 _. ^m 17 and 1 _. ^m 76, respectively. No variation in the period has been found and its revised value is 3 _. ^d 8735868.     

UBV Photometric Study of the Eclipsing Binary DM Delphini

The near-contact system DM Del with an A2V primary and a G8 secondary was observed in U, B and V wavelengths in July 1998. A new seasonal light curve is presented and a new observed time of minimum is given. The unperturbed part of the light curve was used to determine some basic parameters of the system with the Wilson-Devinney code, some of which were kept fixed for spot modelling of the light curves. A simple spot distribution was determined, based on a model with two cool spots on the surface of the secondary. Absolute elements were calculated and the evolutionary status was determined. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.