- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/B/astorb
- Title:
- Orbits of Minor Planets
- Short Name:
- B/astorb
- Date:
- 07 Feb 2022 15:12:49
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- astorb is a database of osculating orbital elements and ephemeris uncertainties near the current epoch for all known asteroids in the Solar System. It has been hosted at Lowell Observatory since the 1990's and is actively curated to be automatically updated as new objects are discovered. Access to the database, additional documentation, additional data, and associated tools are available at asteroid.lowell.edu.
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Search Results
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJS/236/18
- Title:
- OSSOS. VII. TNOs complete data release
- Short Name:
- J/ApJS/236/18
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- The Outer Solar System Origins Survey (OSSOS), a wide-field imaging program in 2013-2017 with the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, surveyed 155deg^2^ of sky to depths of m_r_=24.1-25.2. We present 838 outer solar system discoveries that are entirely free of ephemeris bias. This increases the inventory of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) with accurately known orbits by nearly 50%. Each minor planet has 20-60 Gaia/Pan-STARRS-calibrated astrometric measurements made over 2-5 oppositions, which allows accurate classification of their orbits within the trans-Neptunian dynamical populations. The populations orbiting in mean-motion resonance with Neptune are key to understanding Neptune's early migration. Our 313 resonant TNOs, including 132 plutinos, triple the available characterized sample and include new occupancy of distant resonances out to semimajor axis a ~130au. OSSOS doubles the known population of the nonresonant Kuiper Belt, providing 436 TNOs in this region, all with exceptionally high-quality orbits of a uncertainty {sigma}_a_<=0.1%; they show that the belt exists from a>~37au, with a lower perihelion bound of 35au. We confirm the presence of a concentrated low-inclination a~44 au "kernel" population and a dynamically cold population extending beyond the 2:1 resonance. We finely quantify the survey's observational biases. Our survey simulator provides a straightforward way to impose these biases on models of the trans-Neptunian orbit distributions, allowing statistical comparison to the discoveries. The OSSOS TNOs, unprecedented in their orbital precision for the size of the sample, are ideal for testing concepts of the history of giant planet migration in the solar system.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJS/244/19
- Title:
- OSSOS. XII. Subaru/HSC obs. of 65 TNOs
- Short Name:
- J/ApJS/244/19
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present variability measurements and partial light curves of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) from a two-night pilot study using Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) on the Subaru Telescope (Maunakea, Hawaii, USA). Subaru's large aperture (8m) and HSC's large field of view (1.77deg^2^) allow us to obtain measurements of multiple objects with a range of magnitudes in each telescope pointing. We observed 65 objects with m_r_=22.6-25.5mag in just six pointings, allowing 20-24 visits of each pointing over the two nights. Our sample, all discovered in the recent Outer Solar System Origins Survey (OSSOS), spans absolute magnitudes of H_r_=6.2-10.8mag and thus investigates smaller objects than previous light curve projects have typically studied. Our data supports the existence of a correlation between the light curve amplitude and absolute magnitude seen in other works but does not support a correlation between the amplitude and orbital inclination. Our sample includes a number of objects from different dynamical populations within the trans-Neptunian region, but we do not find any relationship between variability and the dynamical class. We were only able to estimate periods for 12 objects in the sample and found that a longer baseline of observations is required for a reliable period analysis. We find that 31 objects (just under half of our sample) have variability of {Delta}_mag_ greater than 0.4mag during all of the observations; in smaller 1.25hr, 1.85hr, and 2.45hr windows, the median {Delta}_mag_ is 0.13, 0.16, and 0.19mag, respectively. The fact that variability on this scale is common for small TNOs has important implications for discovery surveys (such as OSSOS or the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope) and color measurements.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/152/70
- Title:
- Outer Solar System Origins Survey (OSSOS). I.
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/152/70
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We report the discovery, tracking, and detection circumstances for 85 trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) from the first 42deg^2^ of the Outer Solar System Origins Survey. This ongoing r-band solar system survey uses the 0.9deg^2^ field of view MegaPrime camera on the 3.6m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Our orbital elements for these TNOs are precise to a fractional semimajor axis uncertainty <0.1%. We achieve this precision in just two oppositions, as compared to the normal three to five oppositions, via a dense observing cadence and innovative astrometric technique. These discoveries are free of ephemeris bias, a first for large trans-Neptunian surveys. We also provide the necessary information to enable models of TNO orbital distributions to be tested against our TNO sample. We confirm the existence of a cold "kernel" of objects within the main cold classical Kuiper Belt and infer the existence of an extension of the "stirred" cold classical Kuiper Belt to at least several au beyond the 2:1 mean motion resonance with Neptune. We find that the population model of Petit et al. remains a plausible representation of the Kuiper Belt. The full survey, to be completed in 2017, will provide an exquisitely characterized sample of important resonant TNO populations, ideal for testing models of giant planet migration during the early history of the solar system.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/638/A84
- Title:
- PACS observations of large main-belt asteroids
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/638/A84
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- Non-resolved thermal infrared observations enable studies of thermal and physical properties of asteroid surfaces provided the shape and rotational properties of the target are well determined via thermo-physical models. We used calibration-programme Herschel PACS data (70, 100, 160 microns) and state-of-the-art shape models derived from adaptive-optics observations and/or optical light curves to constrain for the first time the thermal inertia of twelve large main-belt asteroids. We also modelled previously well-characterised targets such as (1) Ceres or (4) Vesta as they constitute important benchmarks. Using the scale as a free parameter, most targets required a re-scaling ~5% consistent with what would be expected given the absolute calibration error bars. This constitutes a good cross-validation of the scaled shape models, although some targets required larger re-scaling to reproduce the IR data. We obtained low thermal inertias typical of large main belt asteroids studied before, which continues to give support to the notion that these surfaces are covered by fine-grained insulating regolith. Although the wavelengths at which PACS observed are longwards of the emission peak for main-belt asteroids, they proved to be extremely valuable to constrain size and thermal inertia and not too sensitive to surface roughness. Finally, we also propose a graphical approach to help examine how different values of the exponent used for scaling the thermal inertia as a function of heliocentric distance (i.e. temperature) affect our interpretation of the results.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/591/A14
- Title:
- PCF, SpecB or SDSSB asteroids parameters
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/591/A14
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- B-type asteroids constitute a peculiar spectral class within the C-complex. Previous work has pointed out the difference between the visible geometric albedos of B-types and those of the Pallas collisional family (PCF), whose few members with observed spectra are B-types (one exception out of eight objects). This has been interpreted as being due to compositional differences. However, the PCF members are typically smaller than the spectroscopically classified B-types, and the following possibilities have not been ruled out: the albedo differences might be related to a size-albedo dependence and/or to the generally larger errors of the WISE data and best-fitting values of the derived parameters expected for smaller objects. We compare albedos and beaming parameters of PCF members and B-types of similar sizes and re-examine our conclusion on the different composition of the PCF. By modelling their WISE/NEOWISE data, we derived sizes and albedos of all objects whose Sloan Digital Sky Survey reflectances are similar to the typical B-type reflectance spectra. In particular, we derived the so-called infrared beaming parameters (eta), effective diameters (D), and corresponding visible geometric albedos (pV), and studied their value distributions.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/631/A149
- Title:
- PHA contact-binary (85990) 1999 JV6 light curves
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/631/A149
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- The potentially hazardous asteroid (85990) 1999 JV6 has been a target of previously published thermal-infrared observations, and optical photometry. It has been identified as a promising candidate for possible Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect detection. The YORP effect is a small thermal-radiation torque attributed to be a key factor in spin-state evolution of small Solar System bodies. In order to detect YORP on 1999 JV6 we develop a detailed shape model and analyse the spin-state using both optical and radar observations. For 1999 JV6, we collected optical photometry between 2007 and 2016. Additionally, we obtained radar echo-power spectra and imaging observations with Arecibo and Goldstone planetary radar facilities in 2015, 2016, and 2017. We combine our data with published optical photometry to develop a robust physical model. We determine that the rotation pole resides at negative latitudes in an area with a 5{deg} radius, close to the south ecliptic pole. The refined sidereal rotation period is 6.536787+/-0.000007h. The radar images are best reproduced with a bilobed shape model. Both lobes of 1999 JV6 can be represented as oblate ellipsoids with a smaller, more spherical component resting at the end of a larger, more elongated component. While contact binaries appear to be abundant in the near-Earth population, there exists just a few published shape models for asteroids in this particular configuration. By combining the radar-derived shape model with optical light curves we determine a constant-period solution that fits all available data well. Using light curve data alone we determine an upper limit for YORP 8.5x10^-8^rad/day^2^. The bifurcated shape of 1999 JV6 might be a result of two ellipsoidal components gently merging with each other, or a deformation of a rubble pile with a weak-tensile-strength core due to spin-up. The physical model of 1999 JV6 presented here will enable future studies of contact binary asteroid formation and evolution.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/375/285
- Title:
- Photometric observations of 9 Near-Earth Objects
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/375/285
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present new CCD observations of nine Near-Earth Asteroids carried out between February, 1999 and July, 2000. The bulk of the data was acquired through an R_C_ filter, while the minor planet 11405 was observed without filter. Data were obtained with the 1.23m telescope of the German-Spanish Astronomical Centre, Calar Alto; with the 0.60m telescope of the Konkoly Observatory and with the 0.28m telescope of the Szeged Observatory. We could determine synodic periods and amplitudes for 5 asteroids, 699: 3.3h, 0.18m; 1866: 2.7h, 0.12m; 1999 JD6: 7.68h, 1.2m ; 2000 GK137: 4.84h, 0.27m; 2000 NM: 9.24h, 0.30m. Based on observations taken at different phases, we could infer a phase parameter m of 0.018+/-0.005 for 1865 Cerberus. An epoch-method yielded a sideral period of 0.27024003(5) for this object with retrograde rotation. The remaining 3 objects have only partial coverage, thus no firm conclusion on their synodic period is possible.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/479/877
- Title:
- Photometric variations of Eris (136199)
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/479/877
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- Eris is the largest dwarf planet currently known in the solar system. Knowled ge about its physical parameters is necessary to interpret the characteristics of these kinds of bodies. The goal of this work is to study Eris' short-term and long-term variability in order to determine the amplitude of the light-curve, which can be linked to the degree of elongation of the body or to the degree of albedo heterogeneity on the surface of the dwarf planet. In addition, the rotation period can be determined. CCD photometric observations of the trans Neptunian object Eris in R band on 16 nights spanning two years were carried out using the 1.5m telescope at Sierra Nevada Observatory (OSN), the 2.5m Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) telescope at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, and the 2.2m Telescope at Calar Alto Observatory. The time-series analysis leads to indications of a short-term variability whose nature is not clear. It could be real or a result of data-reduction artifacts, such as contamination by close, faint-background stars. The most significant periodicities are 14h or its double, but other possibilities cannot be ruled out, like a 32h weaker peak in the periodogram. As for the amplitude of the light-curve, we get a peak-to-peak variability of 0.01+/-0.01mag. The study of the long-term variability indicates that a long rotation period cannot be rejected, but the amplitude would be smaller than 0.06mag. These results are compatible with a nearly spherical body that has a homogeneous surface.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/610/A7
- Title:
- Photometry and models of long-period asteroids
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/610/A7
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- The available set of spin and shape modelled asteroids is strongly biased against slowly rotating targets and those with low lightcurve amplitudes. This is due to the observing selection effects. As a consequence, the current picture of asteroid spin axis distribution, rotation rates, radiometric properties, or aspects related to the object's internal structure might be affected too. To counteract these selection effects, we are running a photometric campaign of a large sample of main belt asteroids omitted in most previous studies. Using least chi-squared fitting we determined synodic rotation periods and verified previous determinations. When a dataset for a given target was sufficiently large and varied, we performed spin and shape modelling with two different methods to compare their performance. We used the convex inversion method and the non-convex SAGE algorithm, applied on the same datasets of dense lightcurves. Both methods search for the lowest deviations between observed and modelled lightcurves, though using different approaches. Unlike convex inversion, the SAGE method allows for the existence of valleys and indentations on the shapes based only on lightcurves. We obtain detailed spin and shape models for the first five targets of our sample: (159) Aemilia, (227) Philosophia, (329) Svea, (478) Tergeste, and (487) Venetia. When compared to stellar occultation chords, our models obtained an absolute size scale and major topographic features of the shape models were also confirmed. When applied to thermophysical modelling (TPM), they provided a very good fit to the infrared data and allowed their size, albedo, and thermal inertia to be determined. Convex and non-convex shape models provide comparable fits to lightcurves. However, some non-convex models fit notably better to stellar occultation chords and to infrared data in sophisticated thermophysical modelling (TPM). In some cases TPM showed strong preference for one of the spin and shape solutions. Also, we confirmed that slowly rotating asteroids tend to have higher-than-average values of thermal inertia, which might be caused by properties of the surface layers underlying the skin depth.
