NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0187
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0187 |
|
PI: Linda M. French, Illinois Wesleyan University, lfrench@iwu.edu
Address: Physics Department, P.O. Box 2900, Bloomington, IL 61704, USA
CoI: Susan Lederer, California State University San Bernardino
CoI: Paul Abell, Planetary Science Institute
CoI: Derrick Rohl, Illinois Wesleyan University
CoI: Robert Stephens, Goat Mountain Astronomical Research Station
Title: Photometry of an Object in a Comet-Like Orbit and Jovian Trojan Asteroids
Abstract:
Recent work suggests a possible connection between the Jovian Trojan
asteroids and more distant objects such as Kuiper belt objects and
comets. The Nice Model for Solar System formation predicts that the
precursors of today’s Trojans formed at greater heliocentric distances
and captured into their present orbits after Jupiter and Saturn passed
through their 2:1 mean motion resonance (e.g. Morbidelli et al. 2009).
Observationally, the Trojans have similar spectral and physical
properties to those of bare cometary nuclei (e.g. Abell et al. 2005;
Lamy et al. 2004). Increasing numbers of objects are being found with
high-inclination, high-eccentricity orbits; several dozen are now known
and a fair percentage have eventually shown low-level cometary behavior
(e.g. C/2001 OG108; Abell et al. 2005). These objects may represent a
population of comets evolving into asteroid-like orbits. We propose to
observe broadband colors for 082SO218, an object in a comet-like orbit,
which will be combined with near-infrared spectra obtained by our
collaborators. We will also obtain phase curves over a wide range of
phase angles for 3-5 Trojan asteroids.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0187 |
|