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.
Print subscriptions are no longer available to individuals. Institutions (e.g., college libraries) can still
obtain print copies via a special subscription. See details in MPB 37-4 or contact the editor, Richard Binzel.
Annual voluntary contributions of $5.00 or more in support of the publication are welcome.
Please send a check, drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. funds, to "Minor Planet Bulletin" and send it to:
Minor Planet Bulletin
c/o Melissa Hayes-Gehrke
UMD Astronomy Department
1113 PSC Bldg 415
College Park, MD 20742
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).
Those using Word 97 (DOC/DOT) are encouraged to download
OpenOffice and convert their files to
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.
Full issues and individual papers from vol 1 (1973) to present are available via links on this page.
Important: If the ADS bibcode and "Download PDF" links are missing for the latest issue, it is because the ADS has
not processed the files. The links will be made available after the ADS processes the files.
If the "Download PDF" link is visible and there is no PDF available, clicking the link will download an arbitrary
page. We are working with ADS to make sure all papers are available and, if not, being able to diasable the link.
The "Download Full Issue" link does retrieve the correct file.
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.
Lightcurve for Koronis Family Member (1482) Sebastiana
Pages 299-300 Zora, Dimitrios-Vasileios; Ramos, Devin; Wilkin, Francis P.
We present a lightcurve for (1482) Sebastiana observed in R in 2023 October. Our measured period of 10.484 ± 0.006 h agrees with the previously measured 10.489 ± 0.003 h (Slivan et al., 2008).
Lightcurve And Rotation Period for 1417 Walinskia
Pages 300-301 Hayes-Gehrke, Melissa; Placido-Reyes, Juan; Villano-Herrera, Daniel; Lombardo, Ava; Coil, Kaela; Kitching, Jonathan; Bauer, Brendan; van Doorn, James; Bravo-Palacio, Daniel; Jordanel, Cyann; Mazzone, Alyssa; Jiang, Eric; Bonilla, Elizabeth; Brincat, Stephen M.; Galdies, Charles
Photometric observations of asteroid 1417 Walinskia were conducted from 2024 April 02 to 2024 April 16. The aim of the observations was to determine both the rotation period and the lightcurve of 1417 Walinskia. The rotation period found was: 16.5316 h ± 0.0132 h.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period of 1238 Predappia
Pages 302-303 Pilcher, Frederick
For 1238 Predappia we find a synodic rotation period of 91.35 ± 0.03 hours, amplitude 0.36 ± 0.03 magnitudes near celestial longitude 212°.302-30
An Appeal for Photometric Observations of 887 Alinda
Pages 303 Pilcher, Frederick
The Amor-type minor planet 887 Alinda will be brighter than magnitude 15 for six months 2024 October through 2025 March, during which interval it will travel about 1/3 of the way across the sky, becoming brightest 2025 January 13 at magnitude 9.0. Lightcurves obtained through this interval will enable reliable determinations of rotation period, spin axis, possible tumbling behavior, and shape.
Rotation Period of Koronis Family Member (2811) Støemchoví, Including a Discussion of Period Error Estimation
Pages 304-305 Slivan, Stephen M.; Berne, August D.; Brennan, Macy P.; Ekelmann, Jayna R.; Gray, Lucy C.; Jackson, Elizabeth H.; Rajesh, Parimala A.; Sheffield, Elaine M.
Lightcurve observations of (2811) Støemchoví during its 2024 apparition yield a determination of its synodic rotation period 3.2488 ± 0.0007 h, in agreement with previously published results. The period uncertainty estimation is discussed.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period Analysis of 1532 Inari
Pages 306-307 Hawley, Wayne; Scott, Brian; Wiggins, Patrick; McCormick, Jennie; Armstrong, James D.; Kardasis, Emmanuel; Pilcher, Frederick; Haymes, Tim; Privett, Grant J.; Leyland, Paul C.
Photometric observations of asteroid 1532 Inari were obtained between 2024 Jan 17 and Jun 12. Analysis of the observations found a synodic rotation period of 266.6 ± 0.2 h and maximum lightcurve amplitude 1.23 ± 0.09 mag.
Photometric observations of the inner main-belt asteroid 1602 Indiana were conducted to verify its synodic rotation period. We found P = 2.601 ± 0.001 h with A = 0.14 ± 0.02 mag, in perfect agreement with the previously published results.
Collaborative Asteroid Photometry from UAI: 2024 April-June
Pages 309-310 Franco, Lorenzo; Scarfi, Giulio; Iozzi, Marco Marchini, Alessandro;
Photometric observations of two asteroids were acquired for 477 Italia, and (21374) 1997 WS22.
Lightcurve Analysis and Period Determination for Asteroid 16405 Testudo
Photometric observations of the asteroid 16405 Testudo (1985 DA2) were conducted between 2024 April 3 - 16 using CCD telescopic images from Australia. Using lightcurve analysis, the rotation period for the asteroid was determined from the images in MPO Canopus. The rotation period found was 22.0 ± 0.1 h.
Collaborative photometric observations were carried out for the near-Earth asteroid (415029) 2011 UL21 by the Italian Amateur Astronomers Union group. We find a synodic rotation period of 2.205 ± 0.002 hours, amplitude 0.02 ± 0.02 magnitudes.
Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis of 5167 Joeharms
Photometric observations were made of the main-belt asteroid 5167 Joeharms from 2024 April 3 to April 16, at an observatory in Beryl Junction, Utah, on iTelescope’s T21. Using MPO Canopus, the asteroid was determined to have a rotation period of 5.3204 ± 0.0025h and an amplitude of 0.14.
Lightcurve Analysis of 7851 Azumino and Estimated Rotation Period
Pages 315 Hayes-Gehrke, Melissa; Brownfield, John; Cleary, Samuel; El Kochta, Ryan; Gardner, Desiree; Kumar, Vishnu; Mai, Vicky; Matheson, James; Mitchell, Thomas; Roviera, Henri; Smith, Dominic; Tung, Justin; Welinder, Lucas Magnus
A lightcurve for the asteroid 7851 Azumino was created using MPO Canopus using data taken from T30 near Coonabarabran, Australia. From this analysis, a rotation period of 31.472 ± 0.329 h and a magnitude variation of 0.42 ± 0.04 mag was obtained.
Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes are reported for minor planets: 57 Mnemosyne, 191 Kolga, 236 Honoria, 1428 Mombasa, 1532 Inari, and 1614 Goldschmidt.
Lightcurve Analysis for Five Main Belt Asteroids
Pages 319-324 Fornas, Gonzalo; Huet, Fernando; Barberá, Rafael; Fornas, Álvaro; Fornas, Gonzalo, Jr.
Photometric observations of five main-belt asteroids were obtained from 2014-2023. We derived the following rotational synodic periods: 435 Ella, 4.62267 ± 0.0007 h; 1105 Fragaria, 5.426 ± 0.001 h; 1248 Jugurtha, 12.191 ± 0.002 h; 2343 Siding Spring, 2.10633 ± 0.00003 h; 7055 Fabiopagan, 4.1684 ± 0.016 h. Sideral periods were found for 435 Ella, 4.6228035 ± 5×10-7 h, 1105 Fragaria, 5.4314465 ± 2×10-6 h; 1248 Jugurtha, 12.190522 ± 5×10-5 h; 2343 Siding Spring, 2.106505 ± 2×10-6 h: 7055 Fabiopagan, 4.168785 ± 5×10-6 h.
Lightcurves of Eleven Asteroids
Pages 324-330 Dose, Eric V.
We present lightcurves and synodic rotation periods for eleven asteroids including the family parent asteroids 1911 Schubart and 2085 Henan.
Rotational Period and Lightcurve Determination for Seven Minor Planets
Pages 330-332 Wiles, Mike
Photometric measurements of CCD observations on five main-belt asteroids were made from 2023 December through 2024 June. Phased lightcurves were created for each one. Three of the asteroids have no prior published period solutions. All the data have been submitted to the ALCDEF database.
Photometric Investigation and Rotational Characterization of Seven Main-Belt Asteroids
This study presents photometric measurements and lightcurve analysis for seven main-belt asteroids using observatories in Malta, Slovakia, Canada, and the United States. Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes were determined for 612 Veronika, 1532 Inari, 2240 Tsai, 4288 Tokyotech, 9333 Hiraimasa, (13042) 1990 QE, and (26187) 1996 XA27. These results enhance the understanding of the asteroids’ rotational properties and highlight the importance of multi-site observations.
Lightcurves and Rotation Periods of 49 Pales, 62 Erato, 901 Brunsia, 995 Sternberga, and 1114 Lorraine
Pages 339-341 Pilcher, Frederick
Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes are found for 49 Pales, 20.704 ± 0.001 hours, 0.15 ± 0.02 magnitudes with 4 unequal maxima and minima per cycle; 62 Erato 9.217 ± 0.001 hours, 0.11 ± 0.01 magnitudes with an irregular lightcurve; 901 Brunsia 3.1359 ± 0.0001 hours, 0.12 ± 0.01 magnitudes; 1114 Lorraine 20.703 ± 0.003 hours, 0.15 ± 0.02 magnitudes with an irregular lightcurve. For 995 Sternberga years of opposition, celestial longitudes, synodic rotation periods, and amplitudes are, respectively: 2013, 86°, 11.191 ± 0.002 hours, 0.10 ± 0.02 magnitudes; 2024, 213°, 11.202 ± 0.002 hours, 0.05 ± 0.01 magnitudes with one maximum and minimum per rotational cycle.
Photometric Observations of Ten Minor Planets
Pages 341-344 Polakis, Tom
Photometric measurements were made for ten main-belt asteroids, based on CCD observations made from 2024 March through 2024 May. Phased lightcurves were created for all 10 asteroids. All the data have been submitted to the ALCDEF database.
Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at The Center for Solar System Studies Palmer Divide Station: 2024 April - June
Pages 345-355 Warner, Brian D.
CCD photometric observations of seventeen Hungarias and one Hilda asteroid were made at the Center for Solar System Studies Palmer Divide Station in between 2024 April and June. Among the Hungarias, 1727 Mette, 2150 Nyctimene, (18890) 2000 EV25, 20936 Nemrut Dagi, and 52316 Daveslater were known binary asteroids or are potential new binary discoveries. The Hungaria asteroid 4764 Joneberhart appears to be in a tumbling state. In 2024, the data for 5967 Edithlevy also appear to indicate tumbling, yet a revisit to data from 2010 show it to be a possible binary. The rotation period for the only Hilda asteroid, 4446 Carolyn, based on the 2024 data and a revisit to those from 2016 was revised from about 40 hours to 30 hours.
Hungaria Asteroid 6859 Datemasamune: A Split Decision
Pages 356-363 Warner, Brian D.
A review of data from 2006 through 2024 for the Hungaria orbital group member 6859 Datemasamune was made in an attempt to consolidate numerous previously reported, and then revised multiple times, synodic rotation periods into a single, well-determined value. Instead, while a monomodal lightcurve with a period of 2.65 h was adopted, the double period, bimodal lightcurve cannot be formally excluded and more so, a secondary period of about 43 h was found in the data for all six apparitions.
Lightcurve Analysis for 6 Near-Earth Asteroids Observed Between 2010 and 2024
Pages 363-368 Birtwhistle, Peter
Lightcurves and amplitudes for six near-Earth asteroids observed from Great Shefford Observatory during close approaches between 2010-2018 and 2024 April-June are reported. All have rotation periods at or below the 2.2 h spin barrier and two are identified as having tumbling rotation.
An Investigation of Close Passes of Distant Minor Planets Throughout the Solar System
Pages 369-370 Güler, H. Arda
Perturbed orbits of distant minor planets are simulated and examined until the year 2100 and a list of close passes with the planets are presented.
Asteroid-Deepsky Appulses in 2025
Pages 371 Warner, Brian D.
The following list is a very small subset of the results of a search for asteroid-deepsky appulses for 2024, presenting only the highlights for the year based on close approaches of brighter asteroids to brighter DSOs.
Timing Lightcurve Minima to Look for Candidate Close Binary Asteroids
Pages 372-373 Romanishin, W.
True detached binary asteroids are systems in which the components are connected only by gravity. Using only lightcurves, it can be difficult or impossible to determine if an asteroid is a true binary, a contact binary, or a single elongated object. However, if a true binary has an eccentric orbit, we might be able to use the time between lightcurve minima to provide a hint of its nature.
Lightcurve and Rotation Period of The Slow Rotator 12867 Joeloic
Minor planet 12867 Joeloic was estimated to have a long rotation period based on measurements during its 2016 opposition. To solve this period, we monitored the asteroid for five months during the 2023 opposition. A total of 3,708 measurements taken over 134 sessions made it possible to find a more reliable rotation period at 426.2 h ± 0.4h, with a lightcurve amplitude of 0.53 ± 0.03 mag. The non-repetitiveness of the curve during the nine full periods led to suspicion that 12867 could be a tumbling object. This was confirmed by Dr. Petr Pravec, who assessed that 12867 is a tumbling object of PAR = -2 (secure tumbler but with and unresolved second period).
Lightcurve and Rotation Period of 32153 Laurenmcgraw
Pages 378 Faure, Gerard; Jongen, Yves
The lightcurve, rotation period, and amplitude are determined for the asteroid 32153 Laurenmcgraw: 24.8082 ± 0.0007 hours, 0.54 ± 0.03 magnitudes.
Lightcurve Photometry Opportunities: 2024 October – 2025 January
Pages 379-384 Warner, Brian D.; Harris, Alan W.; Durech, Josef; Benner, Lance A.M.
We present lists of asteroid photometry opportunities for 2024 Oct - 2025 Jan, changing the long-standing format removing most boiler-plate text, resetting or adjusting the emphasis of each list, adding some new lists, and presenting those lists in tables with more information and larger, more easily-read text. Even when limiting the lists to objects that are generally V <= T 15.5 at brightest (V <= T 17.0 for NEAs), there remain dozens of candidates. The most important change is that the range of opportunities is now four months: the three months of the upcoming quarter year and the month immediately following. With each succeeding edition, that extra month will be repeated as part of next quarter year. This should allow better observation planning, especially for those working in wide-spread collaborations. With the massive input of survey photometry, even if mostly sparse data, the small telescope researcher's role is moving away from the medical equivalent of the family doctor and towards the well-versed specialist. With these changes, we hope to help make the transition easier, more fulfilling, and fruitful.
Index to Volume 51
Pages 385-388 Valdés Sada, Pedro A.
This lists the papers, arranged alphabetically by author, that appeared in MPB Volume 51 (2024).
In This Issue
Pages 388 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.
