Physical and dynamical properties of (12929) 1999 TZ{1} suggest that it is a Trojan
Abstract
Context: Small body (12929) 1999 TZ{1} is listed by the Minor Planet Center (MPC) as a Centaur. However, its location close to the Lagrangian point L5 of Jupiter is typical of a Trojan object with large inclination.
Aims: The aim of this work is to provide a global physical and dynamical characterization of this object and to reassess its classification.
Methods: We obtained multi-wavelength observations with IRTF (Hawaii), OSN and IRAM-30 m (Spain), and performed a dynamical simulation of the evolution of its orbital parameters.
Results: Visible photometry monitoring shows a rotation curve with a period (if considered double-peaked) of 10.4 ± 0.1 h and an absolute R magnitude HR = 9.792 ± 0.025. Near-IR spectroscopy indicates a featureless reflectance spectra, with a low spectral slope of 7.2 ± 0.11%/100 nm. Thermal observations at 250 GHz provide a 4.5σ detection with a flux of 1.22 ± 0.27 mJy. The combination of the visible and millimeter datasets, assuming a standard thermal model, leads to a geometric albedo pv = 0.053+0.015{-0.010} and a mean diameter of 51.5 ± 5 km.
Conclusions: The low albedo and spectral slope measured are typical of Jupiter's Trojans, but cannot exclude a Centaur nature. However, the dynamical lifetime of the object was estimated to be longer than 1 Gy, which is unlikely for a Centaur and suggests that (12929) 1999 TZ{1} is a Trojan asteroid.
- Publication:
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Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- May 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:200809474
- Bibcode:
- 2008A&A...483L..17M
- Keywords:
-
- minor planets;
- asteroids;
- radio continuum: solar system;
- infrared: solar system;
- celestial mechanics