ASPIN: Research project on near-Earth asteroid photometry in frame of the ISON optical network
Abstract
International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) represents one of largest systems specializing in observation of space objects. The main goal of project is observations of space debris. As an additional task the regular photometry of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) is carried out using the network’s telescopes with apertures from 0.4 m up to 2.6 m (ASPIN project - Asteroid Search and Photometry Initiative). The photometry is aimed at getting lightcurves of asteroids for solving different tasks concerning with physical properties of these celestial bodies. The lightcurves have been obtained with a typical photometric accuracy of 0.01-0.03 mag. The main purpose of the observations is to study characteristics of asteroids such as rotation period, size and shape of the body, surface composition and other. It is expected to detect an influence of the YORP effect. Special attention is paid to the detection of binary asteroids. During 2013 the photometric observations have been carried out at 12 observatories during more than 250 nights which have been allowed to obtain the data on 40 NEAs as well as 15 main-belt asteroids. In result the rotation periods have been determined for 8 NEAs in the first time and refined for 10 NEAs. Two binary systems were discovered. Lightcurves of 11 main-belt asteroids with diameters less than 10 km (binary systems or members of small clusters) were obtained. Several of the observed asteroids were radar targets - between them the NEA (367943) Duende (or 2012 DA14), which was approached to the Earth in day of falling the Chelyabinsk meteor on February 23, 2013. The obtained results will be presented and perspectives of NEA photometry with ISON telescopes will be discussed.
- Publication:
-
40th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014cosp...40E2158M