The Minor Planet Bulletin BULLETIN OF THE MINOR PLANETS SECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF LUNAR AND PLANETARY OBSERVERS
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The Minor Planet Bulletin is the journal for almost all amateurs and even some professionals for publishing
asteroid photometry results, including lightcurves, H-G parameters, color indexes, and shape/spin axis models.
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Lightcurves and Rotation Periods of Nearearth Asteroids (137170) 1999 HF1 and 2025 GB
Pages 279-280 Duin, Heiko
Photometric observations of two near-Earth asteroids were conducted to determine their synodic rotation periods. It was found for (137170) 1999 HF1 that P = 2.3193 ± 0.0003 h with A = 0.150 ± 0.03 mag and for 2025 GB that P = 0.172 ± 0.0003 h with A = 1.04 ± 0.08 mag
Lightcurve Analysis of NEO 2025 EF4
Pages 281-283 Birtwhistle, Peter; Privett, Grant; Hawley, Wayne; Gout, Jean-François; Odeh, Mohammad Shawkat; Pratt, Alexander R.03 h with A = 1.04 ± 0.08 mag
The analysis of photometric observations of the NEO 2025 EF4 obtained by a collaboration of six observers in three countries during March 2025 indicates that Apollo 2025 EF4 has tumbling rotation with a dominant synodic period of 0.26049 ± 0.00001 h, amplitude 0.55 ± 0.15 mag and a secondary period of 0.23552 ± 0.00002 h, amplitude 0.29 ± 0.15 mag.
761 Brendelia: A Newly Identified Binary Asteroid from Pro-Am Collaboration
Photometric observations taken by GORA observatories during 2024 July 24 - August 5 revealed that minor planet 761 Brendelia is a binary system with an orbital period of 57.079 ± 0.016 h. Mutual eclipse/occultation events that are 0.6-0.8-magnitude deep suggest that both components are of similar sizes. This configuration also suggests that the pair has reached tidal coupling, which would explain why their rotation periods are both 58 hours. Eclipses are occurring every 29 hours. We applied relative photometry assigning V magnitudes to the calibration stars. The image acquisition was performed without filters and with exposure times of a few minutes. All images used were corrected using dark frames and, in some cases, bias and flat-field corrections were also used. Photometry measurements were performed using FotoDif software and for the analysis, we employed Períodos software (Mazzone, 2012).
Two New Lightcurves for 1209 Pumma and Its Obliquity and Lightcurve Amplitude
Pages 288-289 Romanishin, W.
1209 Pumma is an asteroid showing relatively sharp V-shaped dips in its lightcurve. Two new lightcurves are presented that should aid future shape modelling.
Lightcurve Analysis for (36197) 1999 TZ91
Pages 289 Fornas, Gonzalo; Pilcher, Frederick
Photometric observations are reported for (36197) 1999 TZ91. We derived the rotational synodic period of 12.23275 ± 0.0004 h and amplitude 0.8 mag.
Lightcurves of Asteroid (1363) Herberta in 2023 and 2024
We present a composite lightcurve for Koronis family asteroid (1363) Herberta in 2024 based on six nights, and a lightcurve from a single night in 2023. The amplitude was 0.16 ± 0.04 mag in 2024 and 0.14 ± 0.02 mag in 2023. Our derived period of 3.0166 ± 0.0003 h is consistent with previous results.
Photometric Observations of Asteroid 3760 Poutanen
Photometric observations of the inner main-belt asteroid 3760 Poutanen were conducted to verify its synodic rotation period. We found and confirmed: P = 2.956 ± 0.001 h with A = 0.18 ± 0.03 mag.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period of Main-Belt Asteroid 3961 Arthurcox
Five nights of observations of 3961 Arthurcox between 2025 March 30 and April 23 were combined to create a phased lightcurve. After analysis of observation data with MPO Canopus, the rotation period was determined to be 57.01 ± 0.25 h.
CCD photometric observations of the main-belt asteroid 3048 Guangzhou were obtained over three nights from January to March 2025. Analysis of the lightcurve using MPO Canopus revealed a synodic rotation period of 3.81040 ± 0.00004 hours with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.18 magnitudes. The result is in perfect agreement with previous determinations.
We report photometric observations for main-belt asteroid 4163 Saaremaa. The observations were performed during March and April 2025, from the T21 Telescope at Beryl Junction, Utah; Flarestar Observatory in Malta; Luckystar Observatory in Slovakia; and Znith Observatory in Malta. Lightcurve analysis indicates a rotation period of 26.315 ± 0.025 h and amplitude of 0.56 ± 0.07 mag. A rotation period of 26.3268 ± 0.0002 h was previously observed by Ïurech, et al. (2019) using Gaia spacecraft photometry, but no lightcurve was published.
A Lightcurve Analysis of Main Belt Asteroid 5295 Masayo
Pages 296-297 Hayes-Gehrke, Melissa N.; Benitez, Carmen; Bibbo,, Jack; Chandrasekaran, Adith; Drill, Stina; Fleegle, Brayson; Kaplan, Ryan; Lerdboon, Hana; Nagy, Jackson; Peddinti, Sriya; Trivedi, Aadi; Zhang, Yiwen; Brincat, Stephen M.; Galdies, Charles; Bucek, Marek
Using MPO Canopus to conduct lightcurve analysis of eight nights of observation from 2025 March 30 to 2025 April 23, we developed a periodic lightcurve and determined the preliminary rotation period of asteroid 5295 Masayo as 4.13 ± 0.01 h.Marek
Discovery of the Binarity of the Main-Belt Asteroid 8297 Gerardfaure
We report the discovery of the binarity of the asteroid (8297) Gerardfaure during its near-perihelic opposition at the end of 2025 January. From 2025 January 27 to February 8, 21 imaging sessions were carried out, 10 of which made it possible to discover that 8297 has a synodic rotation period of 3.0459 ± 0.0003 h, with a lightcurve amplitude of 0.14 mag. In addition, it is accompanied by a satellite with an orbital period of 18.82 ± 0.01 h. Mutual eclipse/occultation events with a depth of 0.13 magnitudes indicate a lower limit on the secondary to primary mean diameter ratio of 0.36.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period Analysis for 19774 Diamondback
An approximate rotation period and lightcurve are presented for 19774 Diamondback (preliminary designation 2000 OS51). We found a tentative period of 51.17± 0.53 h with an amplitude of 0.63 ± 0.11 mag.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period for 3507 Vilas and 4185 Phystech
Pages 302-303 Fauerbach, Michael
Photometric observations of two main-belt asteroids were obtained to verify their synodic rotation periods. We found: 3507 Vilas P = 4.755 ± 0.001 h with A = 0.29 ± 0.02 mag; 4185 Phystech P = 4.668 ± 0.001 h with A = 0.47 ± 0.04 mag.with an amplitude of 0.63 ± 0.11 mag.
Lightcurves And Rotation Periods of 57 Mnemosyne, 818 Kapteynia, 896 Sphinx, and 992 Swasey
Pages 303-3045 Pilcher, Frederick
Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes at their year 2025 oppositions are found for 57 Mnemosyne 25.308 ± 0.001 h, 0.04 ± 0.01 mag; 818 Kapteynia 17.462 ± 0.001 h, 0.11 ± 0.01 mag with an irregular monomodal lightcurve; 896 Sphinx 21.072 ± 0.001 h, 0.24 ± 0.02 mag with an irregular lightcurve; 992 Swasey 13.295 ± 0.001 h, 0.15 ± 0.02 mag with an irregular lightcurve.
Synodic Rotation Periods and Lightcurve Amplitudes for 12 Minor Planets from Gora Collaboration
Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes are reported for: 526 Jena, 1033 Simona, 1341 Edmee, 1408 Trusanda, 1926 Demiddelaer, 2350 von Lude, 2843 Yeti, 3041 Webb, 3134 Kostinsky, 3774 Megumi, 4725 Milone.; Álvarez, José Colazo, Carlos
Photometric Observations and Lightcurve Analysys of Four Main-Belt Asteroids
Pages 314-316 Bucek, Marek; Brincat, Stephen M.; Rivard, Normand
We report results of photometric observations and lightcurve analysis of four main-belt asteroids: 2383 Bradley, 6512 de Bergh, 7309 Shinkawakami and 31828 Martincordiner. The asteroids were observed by a network of observatories located in Slovakia, Malta and Canada.
Photometric Observations and Lightcurve Analysis of Five Asteroids from an International Network Of Observatoriesnada.
Pages 317-320 Bucek Marek; Brincat, Stephen M.; Galdies, Charles; Rivard, Normand; Zammit, Vincentbservatoriesnada.
Results of extensive observation campaigns of five asteroids from a network of observatories situated in Slovakia, Malta and Canada are presented in this paper. We have conducted more than 80 individual sessions during these campaigns targeting asteroids 3595 Gallagher, 5704 Schumacher, 7068 Minowa, 10143 Kamogawa and (12528) 1998 KL31.oriesnada.
Collaborative Asteroid Photometry from UAI: 2025 April-June
Photometric observations of five asteroids were made in order to acquire lightcurves for shape/spin axis modeling. Lightcurves were acquired for 992 Swasey, 1155 Aenna, 1326 Losaka, (9058) 1992 JB, and (424482) 2008 DG5.
V-R Color Indices for Nine Main-Belt Asteroids
Pages 323-325 Iozzi, Marco
We present V-R color indices for a sample of nine mainbelt asteroids. Observations were conducted from the H.O.B. Astronomical Observatory (MPC code L63) between June 28 and July 04, 2025. 2008 DG5.
A Study and Review of the Lightcurves and Rotation Periods of 10 Asteroids
Pages 326-329 Farfán, Rafael González; de la Cuesta, Faustino García; Lorenz, Esteban Reina; Albá, Carlos Botana; De Elías Cantalapiedra, Javier; Fernández, Javier Ruiz; Martínez, Fernando Limón; Bárcena, Juan Collada; Ruiz, Javier Polancos
This paper presents the results of a photometric study of ten asteroids and their rotation periods. The 10 asteroids studied were: 498 Tokio (41.843 h), 502 Sigune (10.929 h), 790 Pretoria (10.385 h), 1055 Tynka (5.951 h), 1254 Erfordia (12.286 h), 1263 Varsavia (7.166 h), 1318 Nerina (2.527 h), 1342 Brabantia (4.172 h), 3774 Megumi (3.573 h), and 5632 Ingelehmann (3.780 h).
Lightcurves and Synodic Rotational Periods for 16 Asteroids: 2025 February - June.
Pages 330-334 Benishek, Vladimir
Lightcurves and synodic rotation periods for 16 asteroids determined from photometric observations conducted at the Sopot Astronomical Observatory in the time span 2025 February - June are presented.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period Analysis of (9058) 1992 JB and (424482) 2008 DG5
Pages 334-336 Hawley, Wayne; Wiggins, Patrick; Armstrong, James D.; Gonçalves, Rui; DeGroff, Kent; Scott, Brian; Odeh, Mohammad Shawkat; Haymes, Tim; Gout, Jean-Francois; Privett, Grant; Genebriera, Joan
Photometric observations of asteroid (9058) 1992 JB were obtained during 2025 April and May while observations of (424482) 2008 DG5 were obtained during 2025 May and June. For (9058) 1992 JB, we found P = 10.52 ± 0.01 h, A = 0.32 ± 0.03 mag. For (424482) 2008 DG5, the results were P = 11.256 ± 0.006 h, A = 0.25 ± 0.03 magnitudes.iera, Joan
Lightcurve Analysis for Three Main-Belt, Two Mars-Crossing and Two Near-Earth Asteroids
We observed two near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) with TRAPPIST-North and TRAPPIST-South from October 2024 to January 2025. We obtained their lightcurves and estimated their synodic rotational periods and amplitudes, which have not been previously reported – 2020 WG: (0.5927 ± 0.0003 h) and (0.36 ± 0.02 mag); (458122) 2010 EW45: (2.4880 ± 0.0008 h) and (0.11 ± 0.01 mag). We also performed calculations of their color indices B-V, V-R and V-I, and according to them, classified the asteroids into spectral types – 2020 WG: S-type, 2010 EW45: Q-type. The acquired data have been submitted to the ALCDEF database.
Lightcurve Analysis for Nine Near-Earth Asteroids Observed Between March - June 2025
Pages 342-349 Birtwhistle, Peter
Lightcurves and amplitudes for nine near-Earth asteroids observed from Great Shefford Observatory during close approaches between March and June 2025 are reported. All are small objects and all but one have rotation periods shorter than the spin barrier at ~2.2 h, with 2025 HP4 having the unusually short period of 10.6 s. Two are identified as having tumbling rotation with two others being possible tumblers.
We present the lightcurve of comet C/2024 M1 (ATLAS) from two observatories, determined after noticing that it presents no cometary activity.
On the GAIA DR3 Reflectance Spectra
Pages 351-354 Franco, Lorenzo
For the community of observers in the Minor Planets Section and beyond, we present a study on the reflectance spectra contained in the ESA Gaia DR3 database. This data set has great potential for the amateur astronomer community, especially for the classification of asteroids that do not have any previous classifications. A taxonomic classification has been carried out for 14954 asteroids. Of these, there are 1214 asteroids in common with the SMASSII catalogue, of which for 914 the taxonomic classification agrees (78%). The quality of the Gaia spectra sometimes is not very high, so it is advisable to proceed with caution, using a visual inspection in the most ambiguous cases.
Lightcurve Photometry Opportunities: 2025 October - 2026 January
Pages 355-359 Warner, Brian D.; Harris, Alan W.; Durech, Josef; Benner, Lance A.M.
We present lists of asteroid photometry opportunities. As part of this, we are making some changes from the template used the past decade or more that affect the presentation and criteria used to build each list. There is still an emphasis on asteroids reaching a favorable apparition and have no or a poorly-defined lightcurve. However, that list and the one for modeling targets was biased towards brighter asteroids. We try to limit that bias by restricting the favorable apparitions and modeling lists to objects 15.0 V 16.0 at brightest. Low phase angle observations remain important but, increasingly so, only if placed on a standard photometric system, and better yet, if they are accompanied with observations out to phase angles of 20-30 degrees, something that is more easily achieved with near-Earth asteroids. To be more inclusive of the near-Earth asteroid population, the "NEA Opportunities" list replaces and expands on the long-standing "Radar-Optical Opportunities" section. The MinorPlanet.info web site can be used for those wanting a list of brighter, or fainter, targets.
Index to Volume 52
Pages 359-362 Sada, Pedro A. Valdés
An index to the publications appearing in volume 52 (2025) of the Minor Planet Bulletin
In This Issue
Pages 363 Warner, Brian D.
This list gives those asteroids in this issue for which physical observations (excluding astrometric only) were made. This includes lightcurves, color index, and H-G determinations, etc. In some cases, no specific results are reported due to a lack of or poor quality data. The page number is for the first page of the paper mentioning the asteroid. EP is the "go to page" value in the electronic version.
