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.

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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
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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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Issue 47-4 (2020 Oct-Dec)
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Rotation Period Determination for Asteroids 992 Swasey and 3096 Bezruc
Pages 265-267
Marchini, Alessandro; Conti, Massimo; Vallerani, Claudio; Papini, Riccardo; Salvaggio, Fabio
2020MPBu...47..265M    Download PDF

Photometric observations of two main-belt asteroids were conducted from the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Siena, in Italy, in order to determine their synodic rotation periods. For 992 Swasey we found: P = 13.305 ± 0.007 h, A = 0.16 ± 0.02 mag; and for 3096 Bezruc we found P = 27.350 ± 0.004 h, A = 0.62 ± 0.03 mag.

Preliminary Spin-Shape Model for 755 Quintilla
Pages 267-269
Franco, Lorenzo; Buchheim, Robert K.; Pray, Donald; Fauerbach, Michael; Mortari, Fabio; Casalnuovo, Giovanni Battista; Chinaglia, Benedetto; Scarfi, Giulio; Papini, Riccardo; Salvaggio, Fabio
2020MPBu...47..267F    Download PDF

We present a preliminary shape and spin axis model for main-belt asteroid 755 Quintilla. The model was derived using lightcurve inversion that combined dense photometric data acquired from three apparitions between 2004 and 2020 and sparse data from USNO Flagstaff. Analysis of the resulting data found a sidereal period P = 4.55204 ± 0.00001 h and two mirrored pole solutions at (l, b) = (109°, –12°) and (288°, –3°) with an uncertainty of ± 20°.

Corrigendum
Pages 269
Franco, L.; Marchini, A.; Saya, L.-F.; Galli, G.; Baj, G.; Ruocco, N.; Mannucci, M.; Montigiani, N.; Tinelli, L.; Scarfi, G.; Aceti, P.; Banfi, M.; Bacci, P.; Maestripieri, M.; Papini, R.; Salvaggio F.; Mortari, F.; Bachini, M.; Casalnuovo, G.B.; Chinaglia, B.
2020MPBu...47..269F    Download PDF

Incorrect values were given for the lower limit of the secondaryto- primary mean diameter ratio Ds/Dp for the asteroids 1052 Belgica and 7132 Casulli. The correct values are: 1052 Belgica, 0.39 ± 0.02; 7132 Casulli, 0.33 ± 0.02.

Collaborative Asteroid Photometry from UAI: 2020 April-June
Pages 270-272
Franco, Lorenzo; Marchini, Alessandro; Scarfi, Giulio; Papini, Riccardo; Salvaggio, Fabio; Baj, Giorgio; Galli, Gianni; Bacci, Paolo; Maestripieri, Martina; Luciano, Tinelli
2020MPBu...47..270F    Download PDF

Photometric observations of five asteroids were made in order to acquire lightcurves for shape/spin axis modeling. The synodic period and lightcurve amplitude were found for 58 Concordia: 9.8953 ± 0.0007 h, 0.08 mag; 781 Kartvelia: 19.050 ± 0.005 h, 0.22 mag; 913 Otila: 4.8717 ± 0.0007 h, 0.18 mag; 3317 Paris: 7.0812 ± 0.0004 h, 0.10 mag; and 3800 Karayusuf: 2.2319 ± 0.0001 h, 0.15 mag.

Spin-Shape Model for 50 Virginia
Pages 272-274
Franco, Lorenzo; Pilcher, Frederick
2020MPBu...47..272F    Download PDF

We present a shape and spin axis model for main-belt asteroid 50 Virginia. The model was achieved with the lightcurve inversion process, using combined dense photometric data acquired from seven apparitions between 1995-2020 and sparse data from USNO Flagstaff. Analysis of the resulting data found a sidereal period P = 14.31233 ± 0.00005 h and two mirrored pole solutions (ecliptic coordinates) at (l, b) = (112°, 41°) and (295°, 47°) with an uncertainty of ± 10 degrees.

Main-Belt Asteroids Observed from CS3: 2020 April to June
Pages 275-284
Stephens, Robert D.; Warner, Brian D.
2020MPBu...47..275S    Download PDF

CCD photometric observations of 18 main-belt asteroids were obtained at the Center for Solar System Studies (CS3) from 2020 April to June.

Lightcurve Analysis of L5 Trojan Asteriods at the Center for Solar System Studies: 2020 April to June
Pages 285-289
Stephens, Robert D.; Warner, Brian D.
2020MPBu...47..285S    Download PDF

Lightcurves for nine L5 Jovian Trojan asteroids were obtained at the Center for Solar System Studies (CS3) from 2020 April to June.

Near-Earth Asteroid Lightcurve Analysis at the Center for Solar System Studies: 2020 April - June
Pages 290-304
Warner, Brian D.; Stephens, Robert D.
2020MPBu...47..290W    Download PDF

Lightcurves for 29 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) obtained at the Center for Solar System Studies (CS3) from 2020 April to June were analyzed for rotation period, peak-to-peak amplitude, and signs of satellites or tumbling.

Binary Asteroids at the Center for Solar System Studies
Pages 305-308
Warner, Brian D.; Stephens, Robert D.; Harris, Alan W.
2020MPBu...47..305W    Download PDF

We report on the discovery at the Center for Solar System Studies of four confirmed binary asteroids: 1656 Suomi, (85275) 1994 LY, (85628) 1998 KV2, and (539940) 2017 HW1 along with the suspected candidate (184990) 2006 KE89.

Lightcurve Analysis of Hilda Asteroids at the Center for Solar System Studies: 1529 Oterma And 17428 Charleroi
Pages 309-313
Warner, Brian D.; Stephens, Robert D.
2020MPBu...47..309W    Download PDF

New CCD photometric observations of 1529 Oterma were made in 2020 May, leading to a preferred period of 14.317 h. This differs from one of our earlier results by an almost exact 8:5 ratio. The data for 17428 Charleroi from 2020 allowed both 4.8 and 6.0 h periods, which are nearly an exact 5:4 ratio. A review of data from 2016 found an alternate period of 4.793 h but could not formally exclude a solution near 5.99 h, which was the only period possible from the 2017 data. Both cases suggest that rotational aliasing is at play and so make it difficult to find a secure solution.

Photometric Observations of Twenty-Seven Minor Planets
Pages 314-321
Polakis, Tom
2020MPBu...47..314P    Download PDF

Phased lightcurves and synodic rotation periods for 26 main-belt asteroids are presented, based on CCD observations made from 2020 March through 2020 June. A raw lightcurve is included for one asteroid for which no period solution was found. All the data have been submitted to the ALCDEF database.

A Search for Mutual Eclipse Events of the Asynchronous Binary Asteroid 1016 Anitra
Pages 322-323
Lang, Kim
2020MPBu...47..322L    Download PDF

Asteroid 1016 Anitra was observed extensively between 2020 March 13 and April 24. Mutual eclipse events were searched for but none were observed. Data are analyzed in two sub sets. The March subset found two bimodal lightcurves with periods and amplitudes of P1= 5.9292 ± 0.0002 h, A1 = 0.30 mag and P2 = 2.6092 ± 0.0002 h, A2 = 0.11 mag. The April subset found P1= 5.9281 ± 0.0002 h, A1 = 0.34 mag and P2 = 2.6091 ± 0.0001 h, A2 = 0.11 mag.

A New Photometric Workflow and Lightcurves of Fifteen Asteroids
Pages 324-330
Dose, Eric V.
2020MPBu...47..324D    Download PDF

A new data reduction workflow makes intense use of the recent ATLAS refcat2 catalog, with the intent of using every eligible comparison star available in the sky field of view. By applying this workflow to CCD observations made late 2019 and early 2020, we generated lightcurves and synodic rotation periods, also presented here, for fifteen asteroids of various families.

Lightcurve Photometry Opportunities: 2020 October-December
Pages 330-335
Warner, Brian D.; Harris, Alan W.; Durech, Josef; Benner, Lance A.M.
2020MPBu...47..330W    Download PDF

We present lists of asteroid photometry opportunities for objects reaching a favorable apparition and having either none or poorly-defined lightcurve parameters. Additional data on these objects will help with shape and spin axis modeling via lightcurve inversion. We also include lists of objects that will be the target of radar observations. Lightcurves for these objects can help constrain pole solutions and/or remove rotation period ambiguities that might not come from using radar data alone.

Rotational Period and Lightcurve of 7910 Aleksola
Pages 336-337
Noschese, Alfonso; Ruocco, Nello; Vecchione, Antonio
2020MPBu...47..336N    Download PDF

The lightcurve and rotation period determination for 7910 Aleksola are reported. The results are: P = 6.420 ± 0.002 h and A = 0.17 mag.

Asteroid Photometry and Lightcurve Analysis at Gora’S Observatories – Part II.
Pages 337-339
Colazo, Lic. Milagros; Fornari, César; Santucho, Marcos; Mottino, Aldo; Colazo, Carlos; Melia, Raúl; Suarez, Néstor; Vasconi, Nicolás; Arias, Daniela; Stechina, Ariel; Scotta, Damián; García, José; Pittari, Claudio; Ferrero, Guillermo
2020MPBu...47..337C    Download PDF

Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes are reported for 414 Liriope, 949 Hel, 952 Caia, and 1145 Robelmonte.

The 2019 Mexican Asteroid Photometry Campaign
Pages 340-342
Olguín, L.; Saucedo, J. C.; Loera-González, P.; Contreras, M. E.; Valdés, J. R.; Guichard, J.; López-González, R.; Michimani-García, J.; Cerdán-Hernández, G.; Schuster, W. J.; Valdés-Sada, P.; Núñez-López, R.; Ayala-Gómez, S. A.
2020MPBu...47..340O    Download PDF

We present photometric optical lightcurves and derived rotation periods for a sample of five asteroids: 722 Frieda (30.06 ± 0.02 h), 1239 Queteleta (10.278 ± 0.003 h), 2162 Anhui (8.101 ± 0.001 h), 4148 McCartney (20.756 ± 0.0006 h), and 4408 Zlata Koruna (4.392 ± 0.001 h). These observations were carried out at the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional at Sierra San Pedro Mártir (OAN-SPM), Baja California, Mexico, the Carl Sagan Observatory (OCS) of the Universidad de Sonora, México, and at the INAOE Tonantzintla Observatory (TONA), Puebla, México.

Measured Lightcurves and Rotational Periods of 1132 Hollandia and 1184 Gaea
Pages 343-344
Fauerbach, Michael
2020MPBu...47..343F    Download PDF

Photometric observations of 1132 Hollandia and 1184 Gaea were obtained on three nights 2020 January 27 to 2020 February 16. The following rotational periods were determined: 1132 Hollandia 5.322 ± 0.001 h; 1184 Gaea 2.873 ± 0.001 h.

Lightcurves and Rotation Periods of 50 Virginia, 57 Mnemosyne, 58 Concordia, 59 Elpis, 78 Diana, and 529 Preziosa
Pages 344-346
Pilcher, Frederick
2020MPBu...47..344P    Download PDF

Synodic rotation periods and amplitudes were found for 50 Virginia: 14.312 ± 0.002 h, 0.14 ± 0.01 mag; 57 Mnemosyne: 25.281 ± 0.002 h, 0.10 ± 0.01 mag; 58 Concordia: 9.899 ± 0.001 h, 0.10 ± 0.01 mag; 59 Elpis: 13.672 ± 0.001 h, 0.16 ± 0.01 mag; 78 Diana: 7.2929 ± 0.0001 h, 0.06 ± 0.01 mag; 529 Preziosa: 25.943 ± 0.001 h, 0.30 ± 0.02 mag.

Determining the Rotational Periods and Lightcurves of Three Main-Belt Asteroids
Pages 347-348
Bonamico, Roberto
2020MPBu...47..347B    Download PDF

CCD photometric observations of three main-belt asteroids were made from 2020 March to May. We report the results of lightcurve analysis for 1784 Benguella: P = 41.035 ± 0.008 h, A = 0.87 mag; 4582 Hank: P = 6.446 ± 0.001 h, A = 0.58 mag; and 5947 Bonnie: P = 13.414 ± 0.003 h, A = 0.10 mag.

Lightcurve Based Rotational Period Determination for Asteroids 1579 Herrick and 2171 Kiev
Pages 348-349
Loera-González, Pablo; Olguín, Lorenzo; Saucedo-Morales, Julio; Nuñez-López, Ramona
2020MPBu...47..348L    Download PDF

We present results for rotational period determination using lightcurves for two asteroids observed during the first half of 2020. For 1579 Herrick we obtained P = 9.196 ± 0.002 h and amplitude A = 0.12 ± 0.03 mag, for 2171 Kiev we obtained P = 3.1714 ± 0.0002 h and amplitude A = 0.14 ± 0.08 mag. We also found evidence for the presence of a secondary period P2 = 23.38 ± 0.03 h.

Call for Observations of the Active Centaur 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann
Pages 350-352
Womack, Maria; Sarid, Gal; Harris, Walter; Wierzchos, Kacper; Woodney, Laura
2020MPBu...47..350W    Download PDF

29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann is the most famous resident of the Centaur-JFC (Jupiter Family Comet) “gateway” region just beyond Jupiter. It may eventually become the brightest JFC in human history (Sarid et al., 2019). Its nucleus has exhibited a dust coma for more than 90 years, and it undergoes explosive outbursts several times a year. It is a strong candidate for a future space mission, and long-term dedicated and coordinated surveys from amateur and professional astronomers are needed to characterize the near-nucleus region and monitor material produced during outbursting events and quiescent outgassing activity. Through long-term monitoring we also seek to constrain the nucleus’ rotation period and spin pole orientation. We request multi-wavelength, multi-modality observations, including visible lightcurves, photometry, broadband filter imaging, astrometry, spectroscopy, interferometry and occultations. This article provides suggested observing dates, guidance about useful observations, predictions for a minimum visual magnitude, and a link to an observing campaign planning website. Interested observers are also welcome to contact the first author.

Rotational Periods of Three Main-Belt Asteroids
Pages 352-353
Ferrero, Andrea
2020MPBu...47..352F    Download PDF

Here are reported the result of photometric work on three asteroids: 3222 Liller, P = 12.576 ± 0.001 h, A = 0.31 mag; (8278) 1991 JJ, P = 75.028 ± 0.007 h, A = 1.50 mag; and 10111 Fresnel, P = 7.421 ± 0.001 h, A = 0.20 mag.

Index to Volume 47
Pages 354-357
Valdés-Sada, Pedro
2020MPBu...47..353V    Download PDF

The index to papers published in volume 47 (2020)

In This Issue
Pages 356-357
Warner, Brian D.
2020MPBu...47..356W    Download PDF

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.