NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2002B-0335
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2002B-0335 |
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PI: Luke R. Dundon, United States Naval Academy, m031878@usna.edu
Address: P.O. Box 11690, Annapolis, MD 21412, US
CoI: Debora M. Katz, USNA
CoI: Jeffrey Larsen, University of Arizona
Title: Studying the Physical Properties of a Sample of Near-Earth Objects
Abstract:
The purpose of this proposal is to survey a small sample of recently
discovered Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) in the near-infrared to determine
their albedos and search for compositional differences in their light
curves. Near-Earth Objects are interesting because their current
proximity to the Earth comes from a history of migrations through the
Solar System. In addition, the sizes of NEOs are typically poorly
determined, mostly because of the fact that asteroids are not 100
percent reflective in the optical wavelengths and it takes a substantial
amount of telescope time to determine the albedo (reflectance) of the
asteroid. We propose to use SQIID at the 2.1 meter telescope in
conjunction with the Spacewatch 1.8 meter telescope to obtain five
bandpass (J,H,K,L,optical) lightcurves of a sample of brighter asteroids
taken from the MPC confirmation page. For sufficiently bright
asteroids, we can determine an albedo through fitting solar reflectance
spectra and searching for an excess of emission in the L band and
thermal IR from the University of Minnesota telescope on Mount Lemmon.
With this many bandpasses in the light curve, we might be able to make
definitive statements about the ``patchiness'' of the reflectivity as a
function of rotation. Supplemental Johnson B,V, and R photometry will
be obtained from the USNA telescope in Annapolis. This data will add to
the relatively poorly determined size-albedo relations and allow
simultaneous lightcurves of these objects, which we intend to analyze
for signs of surface composition variation with rotation.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2002B-0335 |
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