Initial Results of a Dedicated H-G Project

One of the main obstacles to studies of the asteroid population, NEAs in particular, is the lack of good H (absolute magnitude) and G (phase slope) values. Starting in early 2007, the Palmer Divide Observatory began a dedicated program for determining the H-G values for as many asteroids as possible. The initial efforts involved MBA asteroids as a control group where the results were compared to values given in the MPCORB file (MPC 2007). Subsequent observations will concentrate on brighter targets within the NEA and inner main-belt populations. A consequence of these observations is also the determination of the V-R color index for almost all targeted asteroids. This paper discusses the details of the project, from strategy to implementation, as well as reporting some initial findings.