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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The main-belt asteroid 1700 Zvezdara was observed from 2009 August - November in order to determine its synodic rotation period (P) and amplitude (A) as well as its absolute magnitude (H) and phase slope parameter (G). The following values were found: P = 9.114 ± 0.001 h; A = 0.10 ± 0.02 mag; H = 12.447 ± 0.019 mag; and G = 0.072 ± 0.019.
Collaborative Lightcurve Photometry of Near-Earth Asteroid (159402) 1999 AP10
Pages 83-85 Franco, Lorenzo; Carbognani, Albino; Wiggins, Patrick; Koehn, Bruce W.; Schmidt, Richard 2010MPBu...37...83FDownload PDF
Near-Earth asteroid (159402) 1999 AP10 was observed over fifteen nights in 2009 September-October from several observatories. The resulting synodic period is 7.908 ± 0.001 h with amplitude 0.36 ± 0.02 mag. The V-R color index is 0.46 ± 0.02 mag, while the H magnitude is 16.6 ± 0.3 mag. This suggests an S-type asteroid with a diameter of 1.4 ± 0.3 km.
Analysis of the Lightcurve of (217807) 2000 XK44: A Tumbling NEA
We report on our CCD photometric observations on the near-Earth asteroid (NEA), (217807) 2000 XK44. Our analysis shows that the asteroid is in non-principle axis rotation (NPAR) with the strongest harmonics in the frequency analysis corresponding to periods of 51.9 and 66.8 h.
Lightcurve Analysis of Asteroids 3567 Alvema and 5421 Ulanova
Two main-belt asteroids without previously reported lightcurves were observed between 2009 September and December. Lightcurve parameters were found for 3567 Alvema (P = 11.542 ± 0.003 h, A = 0.17 mag) and 5421 Ulanova (P = 9.77 ± 0.01 h, A = 0.60 mag).
Lightcurve data of 2235 Vittore were acquired at the Via Capote Observatory in California, USA, and Hunters Hill Observatory in Australia. A rotation period of 32.1 ± 0.01 hrs with an amplitude of 0.21 mag was obtained in this collaborative effort.
Five asteroids were observed and lightcurves measured at OAVdA from 2009 September through November: 1001 Gaussia, 1060 Magnolia, 1750 Eckert, 2888 Hodgson, and 3534 Sax.
Photometric Observations of the Near-Earth Asteroids 1999 AP10 2000 TO64, 2000 UJ1, 2000 XK44, 2001 MZ7, 2003 QO104, 2005 RQ6, 2005 WJ56, and 2009 UN3
Pages 95-97 Betzler, Alberto S.; Noaves, Alberto B.; Santos, Antonio C. P.; Sobral, Edvaldo G. 2010MPBu...37...95BDownload PDF
The near-Earth asteroids 1999 AP10, 2000 TO64, 2000 UJ1, 2000 XK44, 2001 MZ7, 2003 QO104, 2005 RQ6, 2005 WJ56 and 2009 UN3 were observed by the authors between 2008 January and 2010 February at Salvador (Bahia, Brazil), Mayhill (New Mexico, USA) and Moorook (South Australia, Australia) to determine their Johnson-Cousins BVRI colors and from those, provide an estimate of the Tholen taxonomic classification. From our colors, we found that 1999 AP10, 2000 TO64, 2000 UJ1, 2000 XK44 and 2003 QO104 are probably S-complex members. We reanalysed our previous observations of 2005 WJ56 and confirmed a classification as an X type. The latter results agree with the classifications made by other research groups. We propose that 2001 MZ7 is a G type from its presented colors and G parameter. 2005 RQ6 and 2009 UN3 have colors more similar to Q-types.
A New Investigation of the Rotation Period and Size of 71 Niobe
New lightcurves of 71 Niobe show a synodic rotation period of 35.864 ± 0.001 hours, amplitude 0.15 ± 0.02 magnitudes. Six isolated occultation chords have lengths 13 - 76 kilometers. This makes a size significantly larger than the IRAS value of 87 km, and a rotation period near 72 hours allowed by the photometric data, extremely unlikely.
Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Oakley Southern Sky Observatory: 2009 August-November
Photometric data were taken during 2009 December through 2010 April for main-belt asteroids 292 Ludovica and 1317 Silvretta. For 292 Ludovica, data analysis revealed a synodic period of 8.90 ± 0.05 h and amplitude of 0.35 ± 0.05 mag; for 1317 Silvretta, a synodic period of 7.07 ± 0.05 h and amplitude of 0.45 ± 0.05 mag were found.
General Report of Position Observations by the ALPO Minor Planet Section for the Year 2009
The main-belt asteroid 112 Iphigenia was observed over 6 nights between 2007 December 9 and December 14 at the Observatorio Astronomico de Mallorca (620). From the resulting data, we determined a synodic rotation period of 31.385 ± 0.006 h and lightcurve amplitude of 0.30 ± 0.02 mag.
Minor Planet Lightcurve Analysis of 347 Pariana and 6560 Pravdo
Minor planet 347 Pariana was observed in 2009 July and again in 2009 August and September resulting in two complete lightcurves both with a rotational period estimate of 4.052 ± 0.002 h and amplitude of 0.5 mag. These data were combined with data from previous apparitions to produce estimates for a sidereal period, spin axis, and shape model. Minor planet 6560 Pravdo was observed over nine nights in 2009 June and July resulting in a rotational period estimate of 19.229 ± 0.004 h and amplitude of 0.5 mag.
A Tale of Two Asteroids: (35055) 1984 RB and (218144) 2002 RL66
We present the analysis of CCD observations of the Hungaria asteroid, (35055) 1984 RB, and Mars-crosser, (218144) 2002 RL66. For 1984 RB, because of a data set spanning several weeks, we were able to determine the synodic rotation period and lightcurve amplitude as well as H and G parameters. Furthermore, the amplitude-phase angle relationship and derived value for G are consistent with a S-type asteroid. 2002 RL66 may be an unusual binary with a very long period for the primary and an asynchronous satellite that is not tidally locked to its orbit. The analysis for both of these objects relied strongly on being able to link multiple data sets onto a common system with reliable zero point calibrations.
Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Palmer Divide Observatory: 2009 December - 2010 March
Lightcurves for 31 asteroids were obtained at the Palmer Divide Observatory (PDO) from 2009 December through 2010 March: 205 Martha, 379 Huenna, 456 Abnoba, 479 Caprera, 616 Elly, 766 Moguntia, 1069 Planckia, 1364 Safara, 3986 Rozhkovskij, 4764 Joneberhart, 4765 Wasserburg, 4868 Knushevia, 5967 Edithlevy, (6382) 1988 EL, 15786 Clairearmstrong, (18181) 2000 QD34, (19404) 1998 FO5, (31076) 1996 XH1, (33341) 1998 WA5, (33816) 2000 AL42, (36298) 2000 JF10, (41467) 2000 OG29, (43606) 2001 XQ2, (48154) 2001 GT3, (53431) 1999 UQ10, (68547) 2001 XW29, 70030 Margaretmiller, (85839) 1998 YO4, (188077) 2001 XW47, and 2000 CO101. Several of these appear to be in non-principal axis rotation (NPAR). (53431) 1999 UQ10 may have a secondary, additive period of about 38.4 h. Revised results from the 2003 apparition of 70030 Margaretmiller are also reported.
Period Determinations for 11 Parthenope, 35 Leukothea, 38 Leda 111 Ate, 194 Prokne, 262 Valda, 728 Leonisis, and 747 Winchester
Results from Santana and GMARS Observatories over 2009 December to 2010 March are presented: 581 Tuantonia, P=24.90 ± 0.01 h, A=0.20 mag.; 776 Berbericia, P=7.67 ± 0.01 h, A=0.12 mag.; 968 Pentunia, P=61.280 ± 0.005 h, A=0.40 mag.
Lightcurve Analysis of 5899 Jedicke: A New Hungaria Binary
Pages 123-124 Warner, Brian D.; Pravec, Petr; Kusnirak, Peter; Harris, Alan; Pray, Donald P.; Pollock, Joseph; Reichart, Daniel; Ivarsen, Kevin; Haislip, Josh; Lacluyze, Aaron; Nysewander, Melissa 2010MPBu...37..123WDownload PDF
CCD photometric observations of the Hungaria asteroid 5899 Jedicke obtained in 2010 February and March show that the asteroid is a binary system. The orbital period is 16.7 ± 0.1 h. The rotation period of the primary could not be determined with certainty due to the low amplitude of the lightcurve, A = 0.04 mag, but lies in the range of 3-4 h. The estimated size ratio of the pair is Ds/Dp ~ 0.32.
The Lightcurve for the Long-Period Asteroid 4024 Ronan
The main-belt asteroid 4024 Ronan was observed 2010 January to March. The derived lightcurve has a synodic period of 365 ± 5 h and an amplitude of 1.0 ± 0.05 mag.
Asteroids Observed from the Shed of Science Observatory: 2009 October - 2010 March
Lightcurve measurements from the Shed of Science Observatory for 2009 October to 2010 March are reported: 616 Elly, P = 5.30 ± 0.02 h; 1372 Haremari, P = 15.25 ± 0.03 h; 1416 Renauxa, P = 8.700 ± 0.004 h; 2181 Fogelin, P = 14.07 ± 0.01 h; 3458 Bodougnat, P = 3.8565 ± 0.0005 h; and 8062 Okhotsymskij, P = 5.282 ± 0.002 h.
Upon Further Review: I. An Examination of Previous Lightcurve Analysis from the Palmer Divide Observatory
Updated results are given for ten asteroids previously reported from the Palmer Divide Observatory. The original images were re-measured to obtain new data sets using the latest version of MPO Canopus photometry software, analysis tools, and revised techniques for linking multiple observing runs covering several days to several weeks. Results that were previously not reported or had significantly different periods and/or amplitudes were found for 222 Lucia, 331 Etheridgea, 421 Zahringia, 506 Marion, 586 Thekla, 756 Lilliana, 862 Franzia, 957 Camelia, 1042 Amazone, and 1266 Tone. This is the first in a series of papers that will examine results obtained during the initial years of the asteroid lightcurve program at PDO.
Pages 130-133 Warner, Brian D.; Harris, Alan W.; Pravec, Petr; Durech, Josef; Benner, Lance A. M. 2010MPBu...37..130WDownload PDF
This time we feature several NEAs for radar support that may present some challenges given their fast sky motion, faintness, and/or proximity to the Sun. For more background on the program details for each of the opportunity lists, refer to previous issues, e.g., Minor Planet Bulletin 36, 188.
