Minor planet observations using the faint object camera of the Space Telescope: Diameters, surface properties and binary nature

Minor planets have been observed in the last years for physical properties using photometry, polarimetry and IR-radiometry. It must be assumed generally that asteroids are one of the most important clues for the understanding of the origin and evolution of our solar system. Using the faint object camera (FOC) of the Space Telescope it will be possible to observe a large number of asteroids directly. It is proposed to use the FOC with the high resolution down to 0.022 arcsec per pixel to examine minor planets with respect to diameters and shapes, surface and detail studies, densities, and possibly the binary nature of selected asteroids.