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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Pages 128-131 Warner, Brian D.; Harris, Alan W.; Pravec, Petr; Durech, Josef; Benner, Lance A. M. 2009MPBu...36..188WDownload PDF
We present four lists of “targets of opportunity” for the period 2009 October-September. The first list is those asteroids reaching <15m at brightest during the period and have either no or poorly constrained lightcurve parameters. In some cases, the asteroid may not be favorably positioned again for many years, if ever. The goal for these asteroids is to find a well-determined rotation rate. Don’t hesitate to solicit help from other observers at widely spread longitudes should the initial findings show that a single station may not be able to finish the job.
New Lightcurves of 8 Flora, 13 Egeria, 14 Irene, 25 Phocaea 40 Harmonia, 74 Galatea, and 122 Gerda
Lightcurves and absolute photometry near opposition revealed photometric results for 901 Brunsia and 946 Poesia. For 901 Bunsia, P = 3.1363 ± 0.0002 h, A = 0.28 ± 0.02, H = 11.93 ± 0.038, G = 0.258 ± 0.045. For 946 Poesia, P = 73.5 ± 0.02 h, A = 0.24 ± 0.05, H = 10.54 ± 0.06, G = 0.028 ± 0.06.
On the Period of 1506 Xosa
Pages 138-139 Stecher, George; Ford, Lyle; Bianchi, Natalie; Warner, Brian D.; Robinson, Larry 2009MPBu...36..138SDownload PDF
Observations from the 2005 opposition of 1506 Xosa combined with re-analyzed data from the 2001 apparition were used to examine the period of 1506 Xosa. The combined data indicate possible periods of 5.9 h and 6.6 h.
Suggested Revised H Values of Selected Asteroids: Report Number 4
We report the main results obtained by the “Magnitude Alert Project” (MAP) from 2007 to mid-2009. On 2009 May 31 the MAP Database contained 495 asteroids and 5541 measures. Observations were made of 19 minor planets on at least three oppositions for which visual and CCD measures indicated a significant difference from the predicted value. These discrepancies ranged from 0.2 to 1.7 magnitudes. We suggest a revision of their catalogued H magnitude to permit better predicted magnitudes in the future ephemerides of these objects, notably by the Minor Planet Center.
The synodic period and amplitude for minor planet 48 Doris was found to be 11.8906 ± 0.0004 h and 0.36 ± 0.02 mag; for 1055 Tynka, the parameters are 11.893 ± 0.002 h and 0.07 ± 0.01 mag.
Filtered (Ic) CCD images for 511 Davida were obtained over four sessions in 2009 March. A folded lightcurve was produced and the synodic period estimated by Fourier analysis to be 5.1297 ± 0.0001 h.
Photometric Observations of 1998 OR2, 1999 AQ10, and 2008 TC3
The near-Earth asteroids 1999 AQ10 and 1998 OR2 were observed by the authors between 2009 February and March to determine their basic physical parameters. The absolute magnitudes are, respectively, H = 20.4 ± 0.5 and 16.1 ± 0.2 using G = 0.15. The lightcurve parameters for 1999 AQ10 are P = 2.79 ± 0.02 h, A = 0.205 ± 0.005 mag and, for 1998 OR2, P = 3.198 ± 0.006 h, A = 0.29 ± 0.01 mag. The linear phase coefficient for 1999 AQ10 is ß = 0.034 ± 0.002 mag/deg. For 2008 TC3, we obtain B-V = 0.608 ± 0.002.
Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at Ricky Observatory
Pages 147-148 Bennefeld, Craig; Bass, Stephen; Blair, Ricco; Cunningham, Kendrick; Hill, Da'quia; McHenry, Michael; Maxwell, Lerone 2009MPBu...36..147BDownload PDF
Lightcurves for five asteroids were obtained at Ricky Observatory from 2007 October through 2008 December: 1160 Illyria, 4797 Ako, 5132 Maynard, 6000 United Nations, and (27851) 1994 VG2.
A long synodic rotation period of about 308 h was found for asteroid 1807 Slovakia in its 2008/2009 apparition based on a combination of data from Modra and the Minor Planet Center (MPC). Asteroid brightness estimates found in the MPC data covering several previous apparitions not only confirmed the synodic period and large amplitude of the lightcurve of ~1.0 mag, but also led to absolute magnitude (H) and sidereal period determinations, those being H = 12.6 ± 0.1 and Psidereal = 311.75 ± 0.09 h. The sense of rotation is retrograde.
Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Oakley Southern Sky Observatory: 2008 October thru 2009 March
Lightcurve period and amplitude results from Santana and GMARS Observatories for 2009 April to May are reported: 362 Havnia, 16.92 ± 0.01 h, 0.40 mag; 470 Kila, 290 ± 5 h, 0.26 mag; (93768) 2000 WN22, 2.6814 ± 0.0001 h, 0.30 mag.
Lightcurve Analysis at Hunters Hill Observatory and Collaborating Stations - Autumn 2009
Lightcurves for seven asteroids were obtained at Hunters Hill Observatory and collaborating stations and then analyzed to determine their synodic period and amplitude. We report on 54 Alexandra, 1622 Chacornac, 1676 Kariba, 4171 Carrasco, (5604) 1992 FE, (5752) 1992 CJ, and (8359) 1989 WD.
Photometric observations of ten asteroids were completed in the last six months of 2008 from both Kingsgrove and Leura Observatories resulting in the determination of their synodic periods. 226 Weringia 11.1496 ± 0.0009 h; 677 Aaltje 16.6076 ± 0.0006 h; 929 Algunde 3.3110 ± 0.0008 h; 1122 Neith 12.599 ± 0.006 h; 1449 Virtanen 30.495 ± 0.005 h; 1836 Komarov 8.0815 ± 0.0004 h; 3576 Galina 5.910 ± 0.003 h; 4182 Mount Locke 3.0175 ± 0.0003 h; 4332 Milton 3.2978 ± 0.0003 h; (34155) 2000 QJ22 3.0087 ± 0.0002 h.
Analysis of the Lightcurves of 198 Ampella and 2008 SV11
We report on our collaborations to obtain photometric data on two asteroids. 198 Ampella, a main-belt object, was observed to check previously reported periods. We found a synodic period of 20.778 ± 0.003 h, which is double that of the most reliable of those previous results. The near-Earth asteroid 2008 SV11 was observed in support of radar observations. We found a period of 32.4 ± 0.1 h. However, the shape of the lightcurve was very unusual and so the period remains in some doubt. Radar observations indicate a strongly bifurcated body.
2577 Litva: A Hungaria Binary
Pages 165-166 Warner, Brian D.; Pravec, Petr; Harris, Alan W.; Higgins, David; Bembrick, Colin; Brinsfield, James W.; Pray, Donald P.; Pollock, Joseph; Reichart, Daniel; Ivarsen, Kevin; Haislip, Josh; Lacluyze, Aaron; Galad, Adrian 2009MPBu...36..165WDownload PDF
Observations of the Hungaria asteroid 2577 Litva in 2009 late February to early April show that the asteroid is a binary. The primary period (synodic) is 2.81258 ± 0.00002 h and the orbital period (synodic) is 35.81 ± 0.01 h. The depth of mutual events (occultations and eclipses) indicate a size ratio of Ds/Dp (lower limit) = 0.34 ± 0.02. A secondary period of 5.6842 ± 0.0002 h was also found. This is due either to the rotation of the satellite that is not tidally locked with the orbital period or a third body.
We report on our collaboration to determine the lightcurve parameters for the Phocaea member asteroid, 6179 Brett. Our analysis found a synodic period of 9.403 ± 0.001 h and an amplitude of 0.67 ± 0.02 mag.
Period Determination of 780 Aremenia: an Inter-Longitude Collaboration
We report the result of a collaborative effort to determine the lightcurve parameters for the main-belt asteroid 780 Armenia from two widely-separated geographic longitudes. The synodic rotation period and amplitude were found to be 19.891 ± 0.002 h and 0.18 ± 0.03 mag, respectively.
Lightcurve Analysis of Minor Planets 427 Galene and 5489 Oberkochen
Minor planet 427 Ganele was observed over six nights in 2009 April and May and 5489 Oberkochen was observed over eight nights in 2008 August and September. Rotational periods of 3.705 h with A = 0.6 mag and 5.625 h with A = 0.4 mag, respectively, were determined. A is the peak-to-peak magnitude change.
Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Via Capote Observatory: 2nd Quarter 2009
Three asteroids were observed and lightcurves were measured at the Via Capote Observatory from 2009 March through May. The resulting periods were: 5070 Arai (>48 h), 8338 Ralhan (5.27 h), and (8359) 1989 WD (2.89 h).
The Lightcurves of 1146 Biarmia and 5598 Carlmurray
The lightcurves of asteroids 1146 Biarmia and 5598 Carlmurray were measured during the first half of 2009. 1146 Biarmia was found to have a synodic rotation period of 5.4700 ± 0.0002 h with an amplitude of 0.20 ± 0.02 mag. 5589 Carlmurray was found to have a synodic rotation period of 2.9226 ± 0.0002 h and an amplitude of 0.32 ± 0.03 mag.
Lightcurves of 4285 Hulkower, 6867 Kuwano, and (93768) 2000 WN22
Analysis of their lightcurves revealed the following periods and amplitudes for three asteroids: 4285 Hulkower, 6.149 ± 0.001 h, 0.68 ± 0.05 mag; 6867 Kuwano, 7.367 ± 0.001 h, 0.55 ± 0.05 mag; and (93768) 2000 WN22, 2.679 ± 0.002 h, 0.33 ± 0.03 mag.
Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Palmer Divide Observatory: 2009 March-June
During the course of a study of long period asteroids (f < 1/d) within the Hungaria asteroid population, the lightcurves for seven asteroids were re-examined using updated software and techniques. Several were found to have significantly different periods from those previously reported by two of the authors (Warner and Stephens). The most significant change was 2074 Shoemaker, which was initially reported to have a period of 57 h but now appears to be a binary asteroid with a primary period of 2.5328 ± 0.0004 h and a possible orbital period of 55.52 ± 0.01 h. The other asteroids that were re-examined were 1919 Clemence, 3043 San Diego, 3353 Jarvis, 4142 Dersu-Uzala, (20232) 1997 YK, and (101549) 1998 YY2. The reexamination showed once again the importance of placing data on at least an internal system to achieve accurate night-to-night calibrations.
We report on our collaboration to obtain photometric data on the near-Earth asteroid (143651) 2003 QO104 in support of radar observations. Our initial data indicated a slowly rotating asteroid, which allowed radar observers to change their observing schedule accordingly. After obtaining data from 2009 March through April, we were able to determine a synodic period of 115 ± 1 h and amplitude of 1.60 ± 0.05 mag. There are indications that the asteroid may be in nonprincipal axis rotation, i.e., tumbling.
Photometric Observations and Lightcurve Analysis of Near-Earth Asteroids (136849) 1998 CS1, 2006 SZ217, and 2008 UE7
Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) (136849) 1998 CS1, 2006 SZ217, and 2008 UE7 were observed photometrically in the course of Lulin Sky Survey (LUSS) in 2008 December and 2009 January. The rotation periods and lightcurve amplitudes for these three asteroids have been determined as: (136849) 1998 CS1, 4.150 ± 0.001 h and 0.11 mag; 2006 SZ217, 3.2474 ± 0.0001 h and 0.10 mag; 2008 UE7, 3.25146 ± 0.00001 h and 0.13 mag.
Lightcurves for five near-Earth asteroids observed from Great Shefford Observatory during close approaches between 2009 March and 2009 May are reported: (143651) 2003 QO104, 2009 FH, 2009 HM82, 2009 KW2 and 2009 KL8.
