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
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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).
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 Bulletin 51-2.
  • 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)..."

Cumulative Index to Volumes 1-45
Cumulative Asteroid Lightcurve Index (Volumes 1 through 51-2)

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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.

Volume 51 (2024)
    
    

Volume 50 (2023)

Volume 49 (2022)

Volume 48 (2021)

Volume 47 (2020)

Volume 46 (2019)

Volume 45 (2018)

Volume 44 (2017)

Volume 43 (2016)

Volume 42 (2015)

Volume 41 (2014)

Volume 40 (2013)

Volume 39 (2012)

Volume 38 (2011)

Volume 37 (2010)

Volume 36 (2009)

Volume 35 (2008)

Volume 34 (2007)

Volume 33 (2006)

Volume 32 (2005)

Volume 31 (2004)

Volume 30 (2003)

Volume 29 (2002)

Volume 28 (2001)

Volume 27 (2000)

Volume 26 (1999)

Volume 25 (1998)

Volume 24 (1997)

Volume 23 (1996)

Volume 22 (1995)

Volume 21 (1994)

Volume 20 (1993)

Volume 19 (1992)

Volume 18 (1991)

Volume 17 (1990)

Volume 16 (1989)

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Volume 14 (1987)

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Volume 8 (1981)

Volume 7 (1980)

Volumes 6-7 (1979)

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Volumes 3-4 (1976)

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Volumes 1-2 (1974)

Volume 1 (1973)

  
Issue 51-2 (2024 Apr-Jun)
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Show abstracts

Rotation Periods of Three Asteroids Through Differential Photometry
Pages 89-90
Zan, Shayaan; Montgometry, K.

Lightcurves and rotation periods were determined for three main belt asteroids. The rotation periods found for each asteroid were: 5.778 ± 0.006 h for 3519 Ambiorix, 2.788 ± 0.001 h for 4569 Baerbel, and 5.632 ± 0.004 h for 7468 Anfimov.

Determining the Lightcurves and Rotation Periods of Four Main-Belt Asteroids
Pages 91-92
Kalisek, Kaitlyn; Montgomery, Kent

Lightcurves and rotation periods were determined for the following four main-belt asteroids: 2854 Rawson: 4.775 ± 0.001 h, 5142 Okutama: 3.803 ± 0.001 h, (14362) 1988 MH: 3.645 ± 0.001 h, and 28248 Barthelemy: 3.128 ± 0.002 h.

Lightcurve and Rotation Periods of Four Asteroids
Pages 93-95
Mohoto, Mamosa; Montgomery, Kent

The following rotation periods were obtained for four main-belt asteroids: 3332 Raksha: 4.816 ± 0.002 h, 3894 Williamcooke: 2.629 ± 0.001 h, 3896 Pordenone: 4.002 ± 0.001 h and 7365 Sejong: 2.580 ± 0.001 h.

The Rotation Period of 717 Wisibada Could not be Found
Pages 95-97
Pilcher, Frederick; Casa, Jesus Delgado

For 29 sessions including more than 200 hours of photometry of 717 Wisibada by the two authors, no magnitude variations not attributable to instrumental error or catalog errors of calibration star magnitudes could be found. We find V - R = 0.42 and in the V band H = 11.19, G = 0.26.

Call for Observations
Pages 97
Pilcher, Frederick

Observers who have made visual, photographic, or CCD measurements of positions of minor planets in calendar 2023 are encouraged to report them to this author on or before 2024 April 15.

Lightcurve and Rotation Period of 358 Apollonia
Pages 98
Pilcher, Frederick; Casal Jesus Delgado

For 358 Apollonia we find a synodic rotation period of 25.304 ± 0.002 hours, amplitude 0.16 ± 0.02 magnitudes, and an irregular lightcurve for our observations near celestial longitude 65 degrees.

Lightcurve Analysis of 1485 Isa
Pages 99
Farfan, Rafael Gonzalez; Fonseca, Francisco J. Benarque; Mananes, Eseban Fernandez; Ribes, Noelia Gracia

We report on our observations and data analysis of the asteroid 1485 Isa, finding a period of 35.601 ± 0.020 hours, and an amplitude of 0.50 ± 0.03 magnitudes.

Spin-Shape Model for 357 Ninnina
Pages 100-102
Franco, Lorenzo; Pilcher, Frederick; Oey, Julian; Marchini, Alessandro; Papini, Riccardo; Scarfi, Giulio; Iozzi, Marco; Ruocco, Nello; Bacci, Paolo; Maestripieri, Martina; Montigiani, Nico; Mannucci, Massimiliano

We present a shape and spin axis model for main-belt asteroid 357 Ninina. The model was achieved with the lightcurve inversion process, using combined dense photometric data acquired from five apparitions between 2007-2023 and sparse data from USNO Flagstaff. Analysis of the resulting data found a sidereal period P = 35.9840 ± 0.0005 hours and two mirrored pole solutions at (l = 49°, b = 0°) and (l = 230°, b = 36°) with an uncertainty of ± 10 degrees.

A Photometric Investigation of 526 Jena
Pages 103-104
Pilcher, Frederick; Franco, Lorenzo; Acetia, Pietro; Banfi, Massimo; Baj, Giorgio; Marchini, Alessandro

We find for 526 Jena a synodic rotation period 11.877 ± 0.001 h; amplitude 0.25 ± 0.02 mag; color index V - R = 0.37; and in the V band H = 10.07, G=0.10.

Lightcurves And Rotation Periods Of 738 Alagasta And 1011 Laodamia, And A Note On 991 Mcdonalda
Pages 104-106
Pilcher, Frederick

Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes are found for 738 Alagasta 17.882 ± 0.002 hours, 0.06 ± 0.01 magnitudes; 1011 Laodamia 5.1722 ± 0.0001 hours, 0.43 ± 0.02 magnitudes. The period of 991 McDonalda was not found and may be long.

Lightcurve Analysis for Eight Main-Belt Asteroids and One Mars Crosser
Pages 106-112
Huet, Fernando; Fornas, Gonzalo; Fornas, Alvaro

Photometric observations of eight main-belt asteroids and one Mars-crosser were obtained from 2023 April 15 to December 30. We derived the following synodic rotational periods: 222 Lucia, 7.8370 ± 0.006 h; 862 Franzia, 7.5235 ± 0.0004 h; 1259 Ogyalla, 17.3000 ± 0.0013 h; 1305 Pongola, 8.0648 ± 0.0015 h; 1308 Halleria, 6.0313 ± 0.0005 h; 1412 Lagrula, 5.9165 ±.0.0008 h; 6025 Naotosato, 27.017 ± 0.004 h; 14835 Holdridge, 16.6717 ± 0.0013 h; and (16591) 1992 SY17, 2.73715 ± 0.00009 h. We also obtained the sidereal rotation period for: 222 Lucia, 7.836690 ± 0.000014 h; 862 Franzia, 7.521938 ± 0.000013 h; 1305 Pongola, 8.063733 ± 0.000015 h; and 6025 Naotosato, 27.02452 ± 0.00019 h.

Lightcurves and Rotation Periods of Asteroids 1861 Komensky, 2096 Vaino, 3127 Bagration, 3289 Mitani, 3582 Cyrano, 3589 Loyola, 3811 Karma, 4226 Damiaan, 4458 Oizumi, 6086 Vrchlicky, 6875 Golgi, (18118) 2000 NB24 and 29185 Reich
Pages 112-116
Stone, Geoffrey

We present lightcurves and synodic rotation periods for 1861 Komensky, 2096 Vaino, 3127 Bagration, 3289 Mitani, 3582 Cyrano, 3589 Loyola, 3811 Karma, 4226 Damiaan, 4458 Oizumi, 6086 Vrchlicky, 6875 Golgi, (18118) 2000 NB24 and 29185 Reich observed from 2023 September through 2024 January.

Lightcurves of Eighteen Asteroids
Pages 117-125
Dose, Eric V.

We present lightcurves and synodic rotation periods for eighteen asteroids.

Photometric Results for Twenty Minor Planets
Pages 126-132
Polakis, Tom

Photometric measurements were made for 20 main-belt asteroids, based on CCD observations made from 2023 October through 2023 December. Phased lightcurves were created for all twenty asteroids, and an orbital period was computed for one binary asteroid. All the data have been submitted to the ALCDEF database.

Photometry and Lightcurve Analysis of 26 Asteroids
Pages 133-138
Farfán, Rafael González; de la Cuesta, Faustino García; Lorenz, Esteban Reina; Mañanes, Esteban Fernández; Andújar, José María Fernández; Fernández, Javier Ruiz; Casal, Jesús Delgado; Cantalapiedra, Javier de Elías; de la Fuente, Pablo; Collada, Juan

Based on observations from 2022 January to 2023 September, lightcurves and rotation periods were found for 95 Arethusa (8.705 h), 164 Eva (13.687 h), 303 Josephina (12.454 h), 310 Margarita (12.608 h), 624 Hektor (6.920 h), 631 Philippina (5.899 h), 751 Faina (23.667 h), 771 Libera (5.890 h), 841 Arabella (3.138 h), 885 Ulrique (4.893 h), 904 Rockefelia (5.022 h), 911 Agamemnon (6.592 h), 964 Subamara (6.867 h), 1511 Dalera (3.881 h), 1523 Pieksamaki (5.321 h), 1589 Fanatica (2.580 h), 2004 Lexell (5.442 h), 2965 Surikov (9.076 h), 3223 Forsius (2.460 h), 3698 Manning (3.062 h), 3710 Bogoslosvkij (8.014 h), 4253 Marker (2.397 h), 6137 Johnfletcher (6,932 h), 6147 Straub (10.304 h), 9628 Sendaiotsuna (2.674 h), and (98943) 2001 CC21 (5.023 h).

Photometric Observations and Rotation Period Determination for 14 Minor Planets
Pages 138-142
Wiles, M.

Photometric measurements of fourteen main-belt asteroids were conducted from 2023 September through 2023 November. Phased lightcurves and rotation periods for each one are presented here. Six of the asteroids have no prior published period solutions. All lightcurve data has been submitted to the ALCDEF database.

Asteroid Photometry of Eight Asteroids
Pages 143-146
Colazo, Milagros; Monteleone, Bruno; Santos, Francisco; García, Alberto; Ciancia, Giuseppe; Morales, Mario; Melia, Raúl; Speranza, Tiago; Ortiz, Axel; Scotta, Damián; Suárez, Néstor; Aldinucci, Paolo; Montecchiari, Nicola; Wilberger, Aldo; Anzola, Marcos; Colazo, Carlos

Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes are reported for: 343 Ostara, 366 Vincentina, 892 Seeligeria, 914 Palisana, 1112 Polonia, 1237 Genevieve, 1332 Marconia, and 1496 Turku.

Lightcurves Analysis of 1677 Tycho Brahe, 1802 Zhang Heng, and 18151 Licchelli
Pages 146-147
Franco, Lorenzo; Licchelli, Domenicio

Photometric observations of three main-belt asteroids were carried out at the R. P. Feynman Observatory on year 2017. The synodic period and lightcurve amplitude were found for 1677 Tycho Brahe, 1802 Zhang Heng, and 18151 Licchelli.

Collaborative Asteroid Photometry form UAI: 2023 October-December
Pages 148-150
Franco, Lorenzo; Marchini, Alessandro; Iozzi, Marco; Baj, Giorgio; Scarfi, Giulio; Carbognani, Albino; Galli, Gianni; Aceti, Pietro; Banfi, Massimo; Fini, Paolo; Betti, Guido; Ruocco, Nello; Lombardo, Matteo

Photometric observations of six asteroids were made to acquire lightcurves for shape/spin axis modeling. Lightcurves were produced for 363 Padua, 815 Coppelia, 1204 Renzia, 1675 Simonida, 3819 Robinson, and (139622) 2001 QQ142.

Lightcurves and Synodic Rotation Periods for 30 Asteroids from Sopot Astronomical Observatory: 2023 April - December
Pages 151-158
Benishek, Vladimir

The results of lightcurve and synodic rotation period determinations for 30 asteroids obtained from CCD photometric observations carried out at the Sopot Astronomical Observatory in the time span 2023 April - December are summarized in this paper.

Photometric Observations of Asteroids 1631 Kopff, 2244 Tesla, 2967 Vladisvyat and 9628 Sendaiotsuna
Pages 158-160
Marchini, Alessandro; Papini, Riccardo

Photometric observations of four main-belt asteroids were conducted to determine their synodic rotation periods. We found: for 1631 Kopff, P = 6.682 ± 0.002 h with A = 0.28 ± 0.02 mag; for 2244 Tesla, P = 24.65 ± 0.04 h with A = 0.13 ± 0.03 mag; for 2967 Vladisvyat, P = 8.374 ± 0.001 h with A = 0.59 ± 0.02 mag, for 9628 Sendaiotsuna, P = 2.664 ± 0.001 h with A = 0.07 ± 0.02 mag.

Photometric Observations and Analysis Of Eight Asteroids From Malta, Slovakia And Estonia
Pages 161-166
Brincat, Stephen M.; Bucek, Marek; Galdies, Charles; Mifsud, Martin; Grech, Winston; Eenmäe, Tõnis

We report the results of our photometric observations of eight main-belt asteroids from six observatories in Malta, Slovakia, and Estonia. We obtained the lightcurves for the following asteroids, which can facilitate future analysis of these objects at different oppositions: 894 Erda; 914 Palisana; 2286 Fesenkov; 2360 Volgo-Don; 3710 Bogoslovskij; 3852 Glennford; 6898 Saint-Marys; and (23552) 1994 NB.

Lightcurve and Rotation Period Analysis of 1887 Virton and 4099 Wiggins
Pages 166-168
Hawley, W.; Miles, R.; Wiggins, P.; McCormick, J.; Watkins, A.; Kardasis, E.; Pilcher, F.; Arnold, S.

Photometric observations of two main-belt asteroids were obtained between 2023 July 13 and 2023 November 11. The following rotational periods were determined: 1887 Virton, 70.165 ± 0.003 h; 4099 Wiggins, 10.985 ± 0.001 h.

Lightcurve Analysis for Eight Main-belt and Three Near-Earth Asteroids
Pages 169-174
Fornas, Gonzalo; Huet, Fernando; Arce, Enrique; Barbera, Rafael; Fornas, Alvara; Fornas, Gonzalo, Jr.; Mas, Vicente

Photometric observations of eight main-belt asteroids and three NEAs were obtained between 2023/8 - 2023/12. We derived the following rotational synodic periods: 353 Ruperto-Carola, 2.7389 ± 0.000016 h; 452 Hamiltonia, 2.88119 ± 0.00007 h; 914 Palisana, 8.68062 ± 0.00017 h; 1554 Yugoslavia, 3.8873 ± 0.0002 h; 2729 Urumqi, 3.127840 ± 0.000024 h; 4917 Yurilvovia, 10.169 ± 0.018 h; 8142 Zolotov, 4.32388 ± 0.00005 h; (6037) 1988 EG, 2.75724 ± 0.00036 h; 15817 Lucianotesi, 12.687 ± 0.005 h; (41437) 2000 GT122, 2.99011 ± 0.00035 h; (154244) 2002 KL6, 4.60721 ± 0.00002 h. And the following sidereal periods: 452 Hamiltonia: 2.881314 ± 0.000002 h; 1554 Yugoslavia: 3.88762 ± 0.000003; 8142 Zolotov: 4.323410 ± 0.000003 h.

Synodic Rotation Period for Koronis Family Object (452) Hamiltonia
Pages 174-175
Wilkin, Francis P.; Maier, Joseph J.

We present new lightcurves for (452) Hamiltonia in 2023. Observations of Hamiltonia were made at the Union College Observatory and two remote facilities. We derived a single apparition period 2.8813±0.0001 h.

Lightcurves and Derived Results for Koronis Family Member (452) Hamiltonia
Pages 176-179
Slivan, Stephen M.; Barrera, Kaylee; Colclasure, Abigail M.; Cusson, Erin M.; Larsen, Skylar S.; McLellan-Cassivi, Claire J.; Moulder, Summer A.; Nair, Prajna R.; Namphy, Paola D.; Neto, Orisvaldo S.; Maurielle I. Noto, Redden, Maya S.; Rhodes, Spencer J.; Youssef, Sandra A.

Lightcurves of (452) Hamiltonia recorded during three apparitions are presented with derived results for synodic rotation period, and analyzed together with data from other apparitions for spin vector and model shape.

Lightcurves for Three Koronis Family Asteroids
Pages 180-181
Wilkin, Francis P.; Castro, Eduardo; Magno, Micaela; Petrauskas, Ryan; Zora, Dimitrios Vasileios

We present photometry for three Koronis family asteroids, with new synodic rotation periods for two objects with no previously published dense lightcurves: (2470) Agematsu: 2.7952 ± 0.0007 h; and (3856) Lutskij: 7.992 ± 0.0002 h. The lightcurve for (1497) Tampere is consistent with the previously published period.

Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Center for Solar System Studies Palmer Divide Station: 2023 September-October
Pages 182-184
Warner, Brian D.

CCD photometric observations of three Hungaria asteroids were made at the Center for Solar System Studies Palmer Divide Station in 2023 September and October. 10737 Bruck and (48470) 1991 TC2 were found to be new binary discoveries. Bruck has a primary rotation period of 2.3446 h and orbital period of 15.39 h. The estimated effective diameter ratio (Ds/Dp) of the satellite vs. primary is 0.22. (48470) 1991 TC2 has a primary rotation period of 2.5141 h and orbital period of 11.179 h. The estimated Ds/Dp is 0.28.

Lightcurve Analysis for Nine Near-Earth Asteroids Observed between 2009 - 2023
Pages 184-191
Birtwhistle, Peter

Lightcurves and amplitudes for 9 near-Earth asteroids observed from Great Shefford Observatory during close approaches between 2009 - 2019 and August - November 2023 are reported. All are fast or superfast rotators, seven having periods less than 4 minutes, with 2023 TC7 having a period of 12.7 seconds. One has a reliably detected tumbling rotation and another is a possible tumbler.

Lightcurves and Colors of Seven Small Nearearth Asteroids: 2023 LQ1, 2023 LT1, 2023 MC, 2023 VQ5, 2023 VE6, 2023 VF6, 2023 VV7
Pages 192-196
Eluo, Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya; Hergenrother, C. W.

We conducted two observation campaigns (2023 June 16-19 and 2023 November 11-13), during which we obtained photometric observations of seven small near- Earth asteroids. Lightcurves for six of the asteroids clearly showed rapid rotation, while one was inconclusive. We also computed BVRI colors for all seven asteroids to determine their taxonomy by computing color indexes and relative reflectances and comparing the results with published BVRI asteroid measurements, SMASS/SMASSII asteroid spectra.

Satellite of 5457 Queen's Discovery and Confirmation by Two Stellar Occultations
Pages 197-201
Weber, Christian; Mánek, Jan; Dramonis, Serge; Meister, Stefan; Schweizer, Andreas; Antuszewicz, Daniel; Kubánek, Jirí; Rottenborn, Michal

We report the discovery and confirmation of a previously unknown satellite of the main-belt asteroid 5457 Queen's (1980 TW5) via GPS-time-stamped video recordings of two stellar occultations. The first occultation on 2023 September 4.93059 resulted in three positive chords from the Czech Republic and Switzerland for the main body, allowing an elliptical fit of 24.6 ± 0.9 km × 16.2 ± 0.7 km, and in a 2.0 ± 0.2 km chord of the presumed satellite. 15.07 days later, on September 20.00597, the satellite was confirmed by an observer in Greece, who determined a chord of 17.5 ± 0.5 km for the main body and a chord of 2.8 ± 0.5 km for the satellite. Using both satellite chords as diameters of spherical bodies, we derived the following satellite distances from the main body: 2023 September 4.93059: separation 11.4 ± 0.7 mas, p.a. 52.2 ± 3.0°; 2023 September 20.00597: separation 20.4 ± 0.5 mas, p.a. 248.8 ± 3.0°. Further observations are required to derive the orbital parameters. We indicate upcoming occultation events until October 2024.

Lightcurve Photometry Opportunities: 2024 April-June
Pages 202-205
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 206
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.


copyright©2017-2022 Brian D. Warner. Funding to support this web site was provided by NASA grant NSSC 80NSSC18K0851 prior to 2021 April.