Characterization of Active Asteroid (6478) Gault

Here we report the results from our rotational and spectral characterization of main belt active asteroid (6478) Gault. Based on three nights of observations, we could not confirm the rotation period of 2 h for Gault reported in previous work, as no obvious variability in the lightcurves was found. NIR spectroscopic data obtained with the IRTF showed a spectrum similar to that of S-type asteroids, and a composition consistent with H chondrite meteorites. These results favor a compositional affinity between Gault and the Phocaea family.