Spectrophotometric Classification and Lightcurve Analysis of 9983 Rickfienberg
Abstract
We have obtained contemporaneous BVR photometry and lightcurve measurements for the main-belt asteroid 9983 Rickfienberg, which came to opposition in 2011 November. Photometric images were obtained using the WIYN 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory; the facility's S2KB CCD camera; and Harris B, V, and R filters. Landolt reference stars were used to calibrate the imaging system. These observations were conducted in parallel with CCD imaging done at Phillips Academy Observatory and Smith River Observatory to determine a rotational lightcurve and to further calibrate the photometry. The asteroid's lightcurve has a period of 5.2963 ± 0.0001 h and an amplitude of 1.4 ± 0.1 mag. The object is unusually blue as a result of strong absorption in the red, but more data are needed to pin down its taxonomic classification.
- Publication:
-
Minor Planet Bulletin
- Pub Date:
- July 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012MPBu...39..135T