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.
It is considered to be a refereed journal by the SAO/NASA ADS.
All MPB papers are indexed in the ADS.
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Authors Guide and Word Templates
(v.3.0: updated 2024 February 2)
The ZIP file contains the Authors Guide PDF as well as a "starter" paper in Word 2007+ (DOTX).
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the most recent Word format (DOCX). Please read this updated guide since there are a number of changes from previous guides.
A new, optional, table is available for those wanting to include physical and
discovery information
in a more accessible way.
See the announcement in Minor Planet Bulletin51-2.
The Pts column is no longer required and has been removed from the template for the standard
table
to allow more room for the other columns.
The phase column should have only two values: for the first and last date in the range.
If the phase reaches an extrema between those dates, put an asterisk before the first value.
For example,
*7.2,13.7.
Use semicolons to separate names in the references section. For example:
Smith, J.J.; Jones, A.A. (2019).
This also applies if using several references to the same author in the text. For example:
"This asteroid was observed at three previous apparitions (Jones, 2015; 2017; 2018)..."
Issues for the upcoming quarter-year are released on about the 21st of March, June, September, and December.
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Vol 1-7 run Jul-Jun. Vol 8-present run Jan-Dec. Only papers indexed in the ADS are included.
Earlier volumes often contain more papers than listed here. It's recommended to download the
full issue in vol 1-9.
General Report of Position Observations by the Alpo Minor Planets Section for the Year 2023
Pages 210-211 Pilcher, Frederick
Observations of positions of minor planets by members of the Minor Planets Section in calendar year 2023 are summarized.
Call for Observations of the Patroclus and Menoetius Mutual Events: Support for the NASA Lucy Mission to the Trojan Asteroids
Pages 212 Binzel, Richard P.
Trojan asteroid 617 Patroclus is a large binary pair orbiting in the region of Jupiter’s L5 Lagrangian point. The Patroclus-Menoetius binary is a flyby target for NASA’s Lucy mission, to be reached in 2033 March. The binary orbit plane crosses the line-of-sight to Earth during the upcoming 2024 September opposition. Photometric measurements can record “mutual event lightcurves” as each body alternately transits and occults the other over the pair’s 4.28-day orbital period. Extensive lightcurve measurements are needed to refine the binary orbit and the sizes and shapes of the two components. These refined estimates will allow the most precise instrument targeting by the Lucy spacecraft, supporting the maximum possible science return from the mission.
300 Geraldina: Possibly a Binary With a Tilted Rotational Axis
Pages 213-214 Romanishin, W.
The best of seven published lightcurves of the outer main belt asteroid 300 Geraldina show sharp V-shaped dips characteristic of some binary asteroids. These lightcurves show a range of amplitudes, from 0.04 to 0.3 mag. These lightcurves, plus one new one reported here, suggest the asteroid has a rotational axis near the ecliptic plane. In February 2025, this object will be near opposition and well placed for northern hemisphere observers.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period of 703 Noemi
Pages 215-216 Pilcher, Frederick; Hawley, Wayne; Wiggins, Patrick; Leyland, Paul C.; McCormick, Jennie; Genebriera, Joan; Armstrong, James D.; Kardasis, Emmanuel (Manos); Arnold, Steven; Haymes, Tim; Privett, Grant J.; Noschese, Alfonso; Catapano, Antonio; Di Dato, Andrea; D'Avino, Luca
At its early 2024 opposition, a worldwide collaboration of observers have found for 703 Noemi a synodic rotation period of 401.1 ± 0.2 hours, amplitude 0.70 ± 0.05 magnitudes.
The Rotation Period of 740 Cantabia is Re-Examined
Pages 217-218 Pilcher, Frederick; Stephens, Robert D.
Rotation periods close to both 64.45 and 32.14 hours have been published for 740 Cantabia. We have re-examined the data and explain why we prefer the 32.14-hour period, with solution 32.141 ± 0.007 hours.
The Ambiguous Rotation Period of 805 Hormuthia is Solved by a Global Collaboration of Observers
Observers from North America, Australia, and Europe collaborated to find for 805 Hormuthia at its 2024 opposition an unambiguous synodic rotation period of 23.795 ± 0.004 hours and an amplitude of 0.13 ± 0.01 magnitudes with one maximum and minimum per rotational cycle.
Lightcurves for L5 Trojan Asteroid (884) Priamus and Koronis Family Member (1443) Ruppina
Pages 221-222 Das, Niha; Wilkin, Francis P.; Zora, Dimitrios-Vasileios
We present lightcurves for (884) Priamus during 2022 and (1443) Ruppina during 2024. Priamus was observed on four nights at four observatories with derived synodic period 6.8607 ± 0.0004 h and amplitude of 0.23 ± 0.03 mag. Ruppina was observed on a single night with period consistent with previously published values, and amplitude 0.32 ± 0.05 mag. Both lightcurves were doubly-periodic at these periods.
Photometric Analysis for Koronis Family Asteroid (993) Moultona
Pages 223 Wright, Gavin; Doud, Hestia; Crowley, Eva Mae; Wilkin, Francis P.
Wright, Gavin; Doud, Hestia; Crowley, Eva Mae; Wilkin, Francis P. %B We present a composite lightcurve of the Koronis family asteroid (993) Moultona based on six nights of data. We found the period of (993) Moultona to be 5.2702 ± 0.0003 hours with an amplitude of 0.9 ± 0.1 mag. Our results are consistent with previously published observations of (993) Moultona, at a period of 5.2702 ± 0.0004 hours and amplitude of 0.8 ± 0.06 mag (Crowley and Wilkin, 2023).
V-band images of 1083 Salvia were collected over the course of four nights in February 2024. We find a best-fit rotation period of 4.282 ± 0.002 h and a V-band variability amplitude of 0.57 ± 0.03 mag. Our results agree well with previously published measurements of the rotation period and variability amplitude for this asteroid.
Lightcurves And Solar Phase Coefficients for Koronis Family Member (1725) CrAO from Union College Observatory
Pages 225-226 Slivan, Stephen M.; Sindoni, Jason; Wilkin, Francis P.
Lightcurves of (1725) CrAO recorded during its 2019 apparition are presented, with derived results for R-band solar phase coefficients HR = 11.031 ± 0.012 and GR = 0.26 ± 0.03, and for absolute magnitude H = 11.49 ± 0.03, all for the 2019 viewing geometry.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period Analysis of 1429 Pemba and 14835 Holdridge
Photometric observations of two main-belt asteroids were obtained between 2023 July 22 and 2024 January 10. The following rotational periods were determined: 1429 Pemba, 828.7 ± 0.4 h; 14835 Holdridge, 109.6 ± 0.1 h.
Determining the Rotational Period of Main-Belt Asteroid 19633 Rusjan
We present findings from analyzing the lightcurve of the main-belt asteroid 19633 Rusjan using CCD photometric observations: P = 3.326 ± 0.002 h, A = 0.21 mag.
Photometry of PHA (349507) 2008 QY
Pages 231 Hutton, Lucas J.; Fieber-Beyer, Sherry
Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) (349507) 2008 QY was observed for six nights during 2023 October using the University of North Dakota Space Studies Observatory. The rotational period is 11.801 ± 0.003 hours, and the lightcurve amplitude is 0.62 ± 0.04 magnitudes. A search of the Asteroid Lightcurve Database provided no previously published results.
Photometric observations of main-belt asteroid 6086 Vrchlicky show its binary nature with an orbital period of 22.61 ± 0.01 h. The rotational lightcurve of the primary has a period of 2.7674 ± 0.0001 h with an amplitude of 0.07 mag at solar phases 1-12 degrees. A lower limit on the secondary-to-primary mean-diameter ratio is 0.22 ± 0.02. The measured absolute visual magnitude in R band is 12.03 ± 0.03 mag and the slope parameter is 0.20 ± 0.05.
Determining the Rotational Period of Main-Belt Asteroids 3704 Gaoshiqi and (16905) 1998 DT21
Based on CCD photometric observations of the main-belt asteroids 3704 Gaoshiqi and (16905) 1998 DT21, we report the results of the lightcurves analysis, respectively, P = 9,787 ± 0.005 h, A = 0.20 mag and P = 4,534 ± 0,021 h, A=0,28 mag.
Lightcurves and Rotation Periods of 57 Mnemosyne, 58 Concordia, and 78 Diana
Pages 235-236 Pilcher, Frederick
Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes are found for 57 Mnemosyne 25.303 ± 0.002 hours, 0.06 ± 0.01 magnitudes; 58 Concordia 9.894 ± 0.001 hours, 0.08 ± 0.01 magnitudes with three maxima and minima per rotational cycle; and 78 Diana 7.2932 ± 0.0001 hours, 0.28 ± 0.02 magnitudes.
Lightcurves of 3 Small Main-Belt Asteroids from February to April 2023
Pages 237-238 Lang, Kim
Lightcurves of 3 asteroids were obtained from February 2023 through April 2023. Synodic periods and amplitudes are found for (13338) 1998 SK119 (4.129 ± 0.001 h and 0.65 mag), (33983) 2000 NV23 (3.890 ± 0.002 h and 0.45 mag) and (101283) 1998 SJ118 with no indication of period and very low amplitude.
Photometry of 18 Asteroids from Sopot Astronomical Observatory: 2023 December – 2024 April
Pages 239-243 Benishek, Vladimir
The results of lightcurve and synodic rotation period determinations for 18 asteroids obtained from CCD photometric observations carried out at the Sopot Astronomical Observatory in the time span 2023 December - 2024 April are summarized.
Lightcurve Analysis for Three Main-belt, Three Near-Earth, and Two Mars-crosser Asteroids
We present photometric observations for three main-belt, three near-Earth and two Mars-crosser asteroids. We derived the following rotational synodic periods: 1864 Daedalus, 8.5726 ± 0.0001 h; 2240 Tsai, 4.4153 ± 0.0002 h; 6460 Bassano, 2.91258 ± 0.00006 h; (12582) 1999 RY34, 3.7831 ± 0.0001 h; (41074) 1999 VL40, 11.6339 ± 0.0002 h; (56116) 1999 CZ7, 2.9292 ± 0.001 h; (187026) 2005 EK70, 6.95555 ± 0.00026 h. Our one night of measurements for (26499) 2003 DX10 did not reveal a solution. We further report one rotational sidereal period: 1864 Daedalus, 8.57192 ± 0.00001 h.
Lightcurves and Rotation Periods of Asteroids 1033 Simona, 3100 Zimmerman, 4026 Beet, 10707 Prunariu, 13039 Awashima, 15817 Lucianotesi, 17855 Geffert, and (29826) 1999 DW6
Pages 248-250 Stone, Geoff
We present lightcurves and synodic rotation periods for 1033 Simona, 3100 Zimmerman, 4026 Beet, 10707 Prunariu, 13093 Awashima, 15817 Lucianotesi, 17855 Geffert, and (29826) 1999 DW6 observed from 2023 September through 2024 April at Dimension Point Observatory.
Lightcurves of Ten Asteroids
Pages 251-256 Dose, Eric V.
We present lightcurves and synodic rotation periods for ten asteroids.
Photometric Observations of Asteroids 347 Pariana, 632 Pyrrha, 3067 Akhmatova and 8602 Oedicnemus
Pages 256-258 Marchini, Alessandro; Papini, Riccardo; Pierguidi, Lorenzo
Photometric observations of four main-belt asteroids were conducted to determine their synodic rotation periods. We found: for 347 Pariana, P = 4.053 ± 0.001 h with A = 0.15 ± 0.02 mag; for 632 Pyrrha, P = 4.119 ± 0.003 h with A = 0.30 ± 0.02 mag; for 3067 Akhmatova, P = 3.686 ± 0.001 h with A = 0.35 ± 0.03 mag, for 8062 Oedicnemus, P = 10.502 ± 0.003 h with A = 0.44 ± 0.02 mag.
Analysis and Lightcurves of 22 Asteroids
Pages 259-263 Farfán, Rafael González; García de la Cuesta, Faustino; Martínez, Fernando Limón; Lorenz, Esteban Reina; Albá, Carlos Botana; Casal, Jesús Delgado; De Elías Cantalapiedra, Javier; Saura, Arturo Martín; Mañanes, Esteban Fernández; Ribes, Noelia Graciá; Fernández, Javier Ruiz; Fernández, José M.; Nogues, Ramón Naves; Santos Álamo, Francisco Manuel
The analysis and lightcurves of the 22 asteroids presented here were carried out from 2022 September 2022 to 2024 January, although most of the cases were in late 2023 and early 2024. For several asteroids, we found no previously published light curves or 3D models. In other cases, we believed that the lightcurves and rotation periods needed revision, as they corresponded to data from many years ago. The 22 asteroids studied were:107 Camilla (4.843 h), 125 Liberatrix (3.968 h), 283 Emma (6.894 h), 347 Pariana (4.052 h), 353 Ruperto-Carola (2.738 h), 378 Holmia (4.440 h), 694 Ekard (5.924 h), 765 Mattiaca (3.229 h), 822 Lalage (3.346 h), 1011 Laodamia (5.171 h), 1111 Reinmuthia (4.007 h), 1408 Trusanda (29.378 h), 1610 Mirnaya (4.745 h), 1806 Derice (3.225 h), 2244 Tesla (15.247 h), 2343 Siding Spring (2.106 h), 2724 Orlov (13.788 h), 3505 Byrd (9.162 h), 4084 Hollis (4.454 h), 4222 Nancita (3.872 h), 4442 Garcia (6.398 h), and 6100 Kunitomoikkansai (18.450 h).
Photometric Observations of Thirteen Minor Planets
Pages 264-268 Polakis, Tom
Photometric measurements were made for 13 main-belt asteroids, based on CCD observations made from 2024 January through 2024 March. Phased lightcurves were created for 12 of the 13 asteroids. All of the data have been submitted to the ALCDEF database.
Photometric Observations and Analysis of Eight Asteroids
Pages 268-271 Galdies, Charles; Brincat, Stephen M.; Bucek, Marek; Grech, Winston
In this paper, we report the results of our photometric observations of eight main-belt asteroids from six observatories in Malta, and Slovakia. We obtained lightcurves for the following asteroids, which can facilitate future analysis of these objects at different oppositions: (2173) Maresjev; (2300) Stebbins; (3819) Robinson; (4569) Baerbel; (6147) Straub; (6336) Dodo; (13042) 1990 QE; and (20725) 1999 XP120.
Asteroid Photometry and Lightcurves of Nine Asteroids
Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes are reported for: 526 Jena; 667 Denise; 717 Wisibada; 892 Seeligeria; 1429 Pemba; 1504 Lappeenranta; 2052 Tamriko; 2967 Vladisvyat; and 3819 Robinson.
Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Center for Solar System Studies Palmer Divide Station: 2024 January
Pages 275-276 Warner, Brian D.
CCD photometric observations of three Hungaria asteroids were made at the Center for Solar System Studies Palmer Divide Station in 2024 January. The synodic rotation periods found were: 2001 Einstein (5.485 h), (6394) 1990 QM2 (3.681 h), and (9068) 1993 OD (3.470 h).
Lightcurve Analysis for 17 Near-Earth Asteroids Observed between 2009 and 2024
Pages 277-289 Birtwhistle, Peter
Lightcurves and amplitudes for 17 near-Earth asteroids observed from Great Shefford Observatory during close approaches between 2009 - 2019 and January - March 2024 are reported. All have rotation periods below the 2.2 h spin barrier with all but two having periods shorter than 10 minutes. Five have reliably detected tumbling rotation and another is a possible tumbler.
Collaborative Asteroid Photometry from UAI: 2024 January-March
Photometric observations of eight asteroids were made in order to acquire lightcurves for shape/spin axis modeling. Lightcurves were acquired for 58 Concordia, 78 Diana, 462 Eriphyla, 3223 Forsius, 4673 Bortle, 6460 Bassano, (187026) 2005 EK70, and 2023 SP1.
Pages 293-297 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.
In This Issue
Pages 297-298 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.
