T. Michałowski

Shapes and rotational properties of thirty asteroids from photometric data

We have analyzed photometric lightcurves of 30 asteroids, and present here the obtained shapes, rotational periods and pole directions. We also present new photometric observations of five asteroids. The shape models indicate the existence of many features of varying degrees of irregularity. Even large main-belt asteroids display such features, so the resulting poles and periods are more consistent than those obtained by simple ellipsoid-like models. In some cases the new rotational parameters are rather different from those obtained previously, and in a few cases there were no proper previous estimates at all.

The Properties of the Host Galaxy and the Immediate Environment of GRB 980425/SN 1998bw from the Multiwavelength Spectral Energy Distribution

We present an analysis of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the galaxy ESO 184-G82, the host of the closest known long gamma-ray burst (GRB) 980425 and its associated supernova (SN) 1998bw. We use our observations obtained at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (the third >3σ radio detection of a GRB host) as well as archival infrared and ultraviolet (UV) observations to estimate its star formation state. We find that ESO 184-G82 has a UV star formation rate (SFR) and stellar mass consistent with the population of cosmological GRB hosts and of local dwarf galaxies. However, it has a higher specific SFR (per unit stellar mass) than luminous spiral galaxies. The mass of ESO 184-G82 is dominated by an older stellar population in contrast to the majority of GRB hosts. The Wolf-Rayet region ~800 pc from the SN site experienced a starburst episode during which the majority of its stellar population was built up. Unlike that of the entire galaxy, its SED is similar to those of cosmological submillimeter/radio-bright GRB hosts with hot dust content. These findings add to the picture that in general, the environments of GRBs on 1-3 kpc scales are associated with high specific SFR and hot dust.

New photometric observations of asteroids (1862) Apollo and (25143) Itokawa - an analysis of YORP effect

Aims. Asteroid (1862) Apollo is one of two asteroids in which the YORP effect was detected. We carried out new photometric observations of Apollo in April 2007 to enlarge the time line and to derive a more precise shape and spin state model. We also observed another YORP-candidate, asteroid (25143) Itokawa, in December 2006 and January 2007 to obtain a longer time line. An estimation of the YORP strength on Itokawa based on its precise shape model from the Hayabusa mission predicted the deceleration to be already observable during the 2007 apparition. Methods. We used the lightcurve inversion method to model the shape and spin state of Apollo. For Itokawa, the shape and pole direction are known to a high degree of accuracy from the Hayabusa mission, so we used a modified version of lightcurve inversion with only two free parameters – the rotation period and its linear change in time. Results. The new model of Apollo confirms earlier results. The observed acceleration of Apollo’s rotation rate is (5.5 ± 1.2) × 10 −8 rad d −2 , which is in agreement with the theoretically predicted value. For Itokawa, the theoretical YORP value is sensitive to the resolution of the shape model and lies in the range from − 2t o−3 × 10 −7 rad d −2 . This is inconsistent with results of lightcurve inversion that place an upper limit to the change of Itokawa’s rotation rate ∼1.5 × 10 −7 rad d −2 .

Photometry and models of selected main belt asteroids I. 52 Europa, 115 Thyra, and 382 Dodona

Photometric observations for 52 Europa (1995, 1997, 1999, 2000), 115 Thyra (1995, 1996, 1998, 2000), and 382 Dodona (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001) carried out at seven observatories are presented. Using all available lightcurves, the spin vectors, senses of rotation, and shape models of these three asteroids have been determined or refined.

Photometry of seventeen asteroids

Abstract Results of photoelectric observations from Kharkov Astronomical Observatory (Ukraine) are reported. These observations were made between 1985 and 1991. We also include observations of 4 Vesta made in 1981 at Torun Astronomical Observatory (Poland). Most of the lightcurves are in the V band. The first published observations for Asteroids 151, 206, 550, and 705 are reported. We determine or revise synodic periods for four asteroids: 104, 206, 241, and 550. The phase curves are obtained for three asteroids: 44, 104, and 550.

A giant crater on 90 Antiope

Mutual event observations between the two components of 90 Antiope were carried out in 2007-2008. The pole position was refined to λ = 199.5 ± 0.5° and β = 39.8 ± 5° in J2000 ecliptic coordinates, leaving intact the physical solution for the components, assimilated to two perfect Roche ellipsoids, and derived after the 2005 mutual event season (Descamps et al., 2007). Furthermore, a large-scale geological depression, located on one of the components, was introduced to better match the observed lightcurves. This vast geological feature of about 68 km in diameter, which could be postulated as a bowl-shaped impact crater, is indeed responsible of the photometric asymmetries seen on the “shoulders” of the lightcurves. The bulk density was then recomputed to 1.28 ± 0.04 gcm to take into account this large-scale non-convexity. This giant crater could be the aftermath of a tremendous collision of a 100-km sized proto-Antiope with another Themis family member. This statement is supported by the fact that Antiope is sufficiently porous (∼50%) to survive such an impact without being wholly destroyed. This violent shock would have then imparted enough angular momentum for fissioning of proto-Antiope into two equisized bodies. We calculated that the impactor must have a diameter greater than ∼17 km, for an impact velocity ranging between 1 and 4 km/s. With such a projectile, this event has a substantial 50 % probability to have occurred over the age of the Themis family.

Testing the inversion of asteroids’ Gaia photometry combined with ground-based observations

We investigated the reliability of the genetic algorithm which will be used to invert the photometricmeasurementsofasteroidscollectedbytheEuropeanSpaceAgencyGaiamission. To do that, we performed several sets of simulations for 10 000 asteroids having different spin axis orientations, rotational periods and shapes. The observational epochs used for each simulation were extracted from theGaiamission simulator developed at the Observatoire de la ChebrightnesswasgeneratedusingaZ-bufferstandardgraphicmethod.We also explored the influence on the inversion results of contaminating the data set with Gaussian noise with different σ values. The research enabled us to determine a correlation between the reliability of the inversion method and the asteroids pole latitude. In particular, the results are biased for asteroids having quasi-spherical shapes and low pole latitudes. This effect is caused by the low light-curve amplitude observed under such circumstances, as the periodic signal can be lost in the photometric random noise when both values are comparable, causing the inversion to fail. Such bias might be taken into account when analysing the inversion results, not to mislead it with physical effects such as non-gravitational forces. Finally, we studied what impact on the inversion results has combining a full light curve and Gaia photometry collected simultaneously. Using this procedure we have shown that it is possible to reduce the number of wrong solutions for asteroids having less than 50 data points. The latter will be of special importance for planning ground-based observations of asteroids aiming to enhance the scientific impact of Gaia on Solar system science.

Photometry and models of selected main belt asteroids. III. 283 Emma, 665 Sabine, and 690 Wratislavia

Photometric observations of 283 Emma (1998, 2000, 2001, 2004), 665 Sabine (1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005), and 690 Wratislavia (1998, 2000, 2004, 2005-2006) carried out on 44 nights at two observatories are presented. Using all available lightcurves, the spin vectors, senses of rotation, and shape models for these three asteroids have been determined.

Eclipsing events in the binary system of the asteroid 90 Antiope

CCD observations of the binary asteroid 90 Antiope were carried out at four observatories (Borowiec, Pic du Midi, Kharkiv, and Chateau Renard) on 26 nights from October 2001 through February 2002. The results show a two-component lightcurve with each showing the same period of 16.505 ± 0.002 hours. The first component (with the amplitude of 0.10 mag) is associated with the rotation of two non-spherical bodies of the system; the second one, showing two sharp minima (with the amplitude in the range 0.05-0.12 mag, depending linearly on the phase angle) is due to eclipses in the binary system. The lightcurve suggests a synchronous rotation. The orientation of the systems orbit has been determined from the analysis of both the amplitudes and the duration of the eclipses. Some predictions of the possibility of observations of the eclipsing events during future oppositions have also been made.

Photometry and models of selected main belt asteroids IV. 184 Dejopeja, 276 Adelheid, 556 Phyllis

We report photometric lightcurve observations of 184 Dejopeja (apparition years: 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006), 276 Adelheid (2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006), and 556 Phyllis (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006) carried out on 48 nights at four observatories. Using all of the available lightcurves, the spin vectors, senses of rotation, and shape models of these three asteroids have been determined.