A refined orbit for the satellite of asteroid (107) Camilla
Abstract
The satellite of the Cybele asteroid (107) Camilla was discovered in March 2001 using the Hubble Space Telescope (Storrs et al., 2001, IAUC 7599). From a set of 23 positions derived from adaptive optics observations obtained over three years with the ESO VLT, Keck-II and Gemini-North telescopes, Marchis et al. (2008, Icarus 196) determined its orbit to be nearly circular.In the new work reported here, we compiled, reduced, and analyzed observations at 39 epochs (including the 23 positions previously analyzed) by adding additional observations taken from data archives: HST in 2001; Keck in 2002, 2003, and 2009; Gemini in 2010; and VLT in 2011. The present dataset hence contains twice as many epochs as the prior analysis and covers a time span that is three times longer (more than a decade).We use our orbit determination algorithm Genoid (GENetic Orbit IDentification), a genetic based algorithm that relies on a metaheuristic method and a dynamical model of the Solar System (Vachier et al., 2012, A&A 543). The method uses two models: a simple Keplerian model to minimize the search-time for an orbital solution, exploring a wide space of solutions; and a full N-body problem that includes the gravitational field of the primary asteroid up to 4th order.The orbit we derive fits all 39 observed positions of the satellite with an RMS residual of only milli-arcseconds, which corresponds to sub-pixel accuracy. We found the orbit of the satellite to be circular and roughly aligned with the equatorial plane of Camilla. The refined mass of the system is (12 ± 1) x 10^18 kg, for an orbital period of 3.71 days.We will present this improved orbital solution of the satellite of Camilla, as well as predictions for upcoming stellar occultation events.
- Publication:
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AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #47
- Pub Date:
- November 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015DPS....4720105P