NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0552
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0552 |
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PI: Robert S. McMillan, University of Arizona, bob@lpl.arizona.edu
Address: Lunar & Planetary Lab. & Steward Obs., 1629 East University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721-0092, USA
CoI: Amy Mainzer, JPL/CalTech
CoI: Jeff Larsen, U. S. Naval Academy
CoI: Jim Scotti, University of Arizona
CoI: Joe Masiero, JPL/CalTech
CoI: James Bauer, JPL/CalTech
CoI: Tommy Grav, Johns Hopkins University
CoI: Chet Maleszewski, University of Arizona
Title: Astrometry and Photometry of Asteroids and Comets Detected by WISE
Abstract:
Telescope time is requested to recover and do astrometry and
photometry of carefully selected asteroids, comets, and suspected comets
previously detected by WISE. The WISE all-sky thermal infrared survey
uncovered more solar system objects with dark albedos and more objects
with comet-like orbital elements than expected. These outliers may
represent hitherto unexplored populations and may reveal characteristics
of the evolution of the solar system not yet recognized. So we need to
investigate the composition, surface properties, and orbital processing
history of these relatively primitive remnants of the early solar
system. High signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) R-band photometry on a
calibrated magnitude scale establishes the albedo near the peak of
incident solar flux, which reckons centrally in modeling thermal
properties. The combination of the IR fluxes from WISE, astrometry, R
magnitudes, and BVRI colors will allow us to refine asteroid orbits and
determine albedos, diameters, and approximate taxonomic types.
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 > 2011A-0552 |
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