Observing Asteroids CCD

Observing Asteroids with CCD:
Measuring some characteristics with backyard instruments

Presented to:
Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society

September 3, 2011
By Ron Baker, CVAS member
Introduction:
CCD observations of asteroids by backyard astronomers can yield many characteristics including: Orbital elements Rotational period Absolute magnitude Light scattering properties of the surface Orientation of spin axis Size & shape
All with telescopes in the 8 to 14 inch range and commonly available CCD cameras.
Main-belt asteroid 581 Tauntonia
FOV 12 X 8 arcmin, 120-sec exposure, mag 14.8V, 12-inch SCT, February 2010, IHO
Astrometry & Photometry Measuring the position and brightness of 581 Tauntonia
Reference stars from the CMC-14 catalog selected by Astrometrica.
Characteristics of Asteroids
Orbital elements Family Rotational period Amplitude Absolute magnitude (H) Phase slope parameter (G) Taxonomic class Albedo Diameter Equitorial elongation Spin axis Shape
Astrometry (from backyard observations)
Astrometry (from backyard observations) Photometry (from backyard observations)
Astrometry (from backyard observations) Photometry (from backyard observations) Spectroscopy, Satellite Imaging, Radar (from professional observations)
Astrometry (from backyard observations) Photometry (from backyard observations) Spectroscopy, Satellite Imaging, Radar (from professional observations) Modeling (backyard and professional collaborations)
Orbital elements Family Rotation period Amplitude Abs mag (H) Phase slope (G) Taxonomy Albedo Diameter Elongation Spin axis Shape Minor Planet Center (MPC)
Operates with authority of IAU. MPC accepts observations from specially designated observatories. Official observatory code for IHO: [H75]
Large scale surveys do most of the discovering now. Examples include Catalina Sky Survey, Linear & Wise. Follow up observations on newly discovered objects are critical.
Orbital elements Family Rotation period Amplitude Abs mag (H) Phase slope (G) Taxonomy Albedo Diameter Elongation Spin axis Shape Minor Planet Center (MPC)
A set of 3 or more observations separated in time are needed to determine an initial set of orbital elements. Follow-up observations of new objects are needed several weeks after discovery to confirm the objects existence and to improve the set of orbital elements. The MPC publishes lists of new objects needing confirmation. Some turn out to be Near Earth Objects (NEO) which cross the Earths orbit and are potentially hazardous, others are much more distant and pose no threat.
Orbital elements Family Rotation period Amplitude Abs mag (H) Phase slope (G) Taxonomy Albedo Diameter Elongation Spin axis Shape
1998 KN3, Stack of 48 images, 60-sec each, 12-inch SCT, March 2010, IHO
1998 KN3, Stack of 48 images, 60-sec each, 12-inch SCT, March 2010, IHO
Apollo NEO 88254 (2001 FM129) Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) Discovered March 2001 by the Linear Survey
64 exp, unfiltered, 8-sec each, 12-inch SCT, mag 14, March 2010, IHO
Apollo NEO 88254 (2001 FM129) Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) Discovered March 2001 by the Linear Survey
Graphic from JPLs Small-Body Database Browser
Long Period Comet C2010 F1 (Boattini) Discovered February 2010 by the Catalina Sky Survey
24 exp, unfiltered, 120-sec each, 12-inch SCT, mag 19, March 2010, IHO
Long Period Comet C2010 F1 (Boattini) Discovered February 2010 by the Catalina Sky Survey
Graphic from JPLs Small-Body Database Browser
Orbital elements Family Rotation period Amplitude Abs mag (H) Phase slope (G) Taxonomy Albedo Diameter Elongation Spin axis Shape Major asteroid families
Main Belt asteroids
Semi-major axis 2-3 AU (between Mars & Jupiter). More than 500,000 known to exist.
Near-Earth objects
Cross Earth orbit Apollo, Aten, Amor Nearly 7,500 are known at present time.
Trojans
Occupies an orbit similar to a planet. Gravitationally locked before/after a planet. Most are associated with Jupiter, but also Neptune and Mars. The first Earth Trojan was recently discovered.
Trans-Neptunian and Kuiper Belt objects

Many sub-classes, semi-major axis 30 AU to 500+ AU
Orbital elements Family Rotation period Amplitude Abs mag (H) Phase slope (G) Taxonomy Albedo Diameter Elongation Spin axis Shape Family Census Data
From the Minor Planet Center (September 2011) Atiras Atens Apollos Amors Hungarias Phocaeas Mars-Crossers Main-Belt Hildas Jupiter Trojans Centaurs Plutinos Classical TNOs Other TNOs Scattered-Disk Objects 1 672 3,770 3,022 10,102 11,632 7,184 527,886 3,308 5,073 227 241 882 35 169
Rotational period is the time required for the asteroid to make one complete rotation about its own axis in relation to the Earth.
Asteroids have irregular shapes. During rotation, the asteroid presents a varying surface area to our line of sight. The period and amplitude is determined from a lightcurve, which is built by plotting observations obtained in a time series of images. There is usually no need to place the instrumental magnitudes on a standard magnitude system. When observations are made on succeeding nights, the lightcurve plot must be phased. Phased plots are usually bi-modal.
A collaborative observing campaign was formed in the fall of 2010 to study asteroid 1082 Pirola. The results of the project are used here to describe how photometry can determine the rotational period and absolute magnitude of an asteroid. Details about this study can be found in the Minor Planet Bulletin article listed in the references.
The rotational period and some other characteristics were unknown before the study. Lightcurves and data points for use in constructing a phase curve were obtained during the several months before and after opposition. The lightcurve data were archived for future spin axis and shape modeling.
First time series: duration 6 hours.
2 time series separated by 24 days.
With trial and error, the data is phased to 1 rotational period using the Fourier routine built into MPO Canopus.
Complete coverage from 3 sessions, increasing precision.
A session late in the apparition shows the amplitude has increased. But the rotational period remains consistent.
Differential photometry & period analysis: MPO Canopus.

(Credits R. Baker, F. Pilcher, V. Benishek, 2010)
H-G parameters were originally defined by the International Astronomical Union in 1985. Absolute magnitude (H) is a calculated value based on observed magnitudes. It represents the magnitude of an asteroid when 1 AU from both the Earth and the Sun, and at 0 degree phase angle (actually impossible orientation geometrically). Phase slope parameter (G) describes how an asteroid brightens due strictly to change in phase angle, especially near opposition. Estimated magnitude of an asteroid can be predicted using these parameters.
Phase Angle Asteroids move throughphases (similar to the Moon or Venus). Asteroid phases are defined by an angle formed by 2 lines. The first line runs from the asteroid through the Earth, the second from the asteroid through the Sun. The phase angle approaches 0 degrees when the asteroid is at opposition. Most asteroids do not cross the ecliptic right at opposition. So the minimum phase angle is usually at least a few degrees (and often much more) above or below the ecliptic.
Changing Brightness Due to rotation: The amplitude of a typical lightcurve is between 0.1 and 0.5 magnitude. Most asteroids have a rotational period greater than 4 hours but less than 1 day.
Due to changing distance: The distance from the Earth and also the Sun influence the asteroids apparent brightness. These changes occur slowly over several weeks and months. Due to changing phase: Changes slowly over several months. The change is linear at phase angles greater than roughly 7 degrees. But a surge in brightness is often observed at smaller phase angles. (Opposition effect.)
Phase Curve The effects on brightness due to rotation and change in distance must be removed from the observations. Result is reduced magnitude. The phase curve plot yields an estimated measurement of absolute magnitude (H) and the phase slope parameter (G). H & G studies require standard magnitudes from observations in the V-band covering a wide range of phase angles. For best results the minimum phase angle should be < 1 degree.
Differential standard V-band photometry: Astrometrica H-G utility: MPO Canopus

(Credits R. Baker, F. Pilcher, V. Benishek, 2010)
Spectroscopy: Asteroids are placed in taxonomic classes on the basis of their spectral classification. Reflectance spectrum is a plot showing varying levels of reflectivity dependent on wave length. Horizontal axis is the wavelength in microns. Vertical axis is the reflectance or albedo. This is the ratio of incident sunlight reflected back from the surface. Spectral features such as absorption bands reveal the presence of specific minerals.
The ECAS and SMASSII spectroscopic surveys provide the data used by astronomers to assign classes. Eight-Color Asteroid Survey (ECAS) was conducted in 1984. Most asteroids were found to fit into 3 broad categories: carbon, stone and metallic. 14 classes were established.
The Small Main-Belt Asteroid Spectroscopic Survey (SMASSII) made high resolution observations in 2002. Total of 22 classes.
Satellite Observations The diameter of some asteroids have been measured directly by orbiting satellites. The observations are made in the Infrared band of the spectrum. Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) The Supplemental IRAS Minor Planet Survey (SIMPS) is based on IRAS, and contains data relative to asteroids. Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) Research is currently underway on the vast amount of data produce by this survey.
Radar The Arecibo Observatory and Goldstone Solar System Radar are used to measure many asteroid characteristics, including the diameter of larger objects.
A mathematical relation exists between diameter, albedo and absolute magnitude (H). It is possible for a large asteroid with a small albedo can have the same absolute magnitude (H) as a smaller asteroid with a larger albedo.
When an asteroids diameter has been measured directly, albedo can be calculated using the observed absolute magnitude (H). Diameter can also be estimated by using the observed absolute magnitude (H) and an assumed value for albedo.
The equitorial elongation of an asteroid can be estimated from the amplitude of the lightcurve. The amplitude normally decreases as the phase angle decreases, then increases again after opposition. Observations recorded near 0 degrees phase angle should be used for the calculation.
The spin axis is referenced to the ecliptic, and defined by the ecliptic longitude & latitude. An asteroids shape can be estimated with special modeling software. Mathematically intensive. Requires significant amounts of lightcurve data preferably at many phase angles. Data from several apparitions are needed. Duration of these studies is long-term. Suitable for collaborations between professional and amateur astronomers.
(Summary)
Orbital elements Family Rotational period Amplitude Absolute magnitude (H) Phase slope parameter (G)
Taxonomic class Albedo Diameter Equitorial elongation Spin axis Shape
Astrometry (from backyard observations) Photometry (from backyard observations) Spectroscopy, Satellite Imaging, Radar (from professional observations) Modeling (backyard & professional collaborations)
Organizations
Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers. http://alpo-astronomy.org/ British Astronomical Association, Asteroid and Remote Planets Section. http://britastro.org/asteroids/table%20of%20contents.htm JPL Small-Body Database Browser. http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi Minor Planet Center. http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/
Books
Asteroids and How to Observe Them. Roger Dymock. Springer-Verlag. http://www.springerlink.com/ Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis. Brian D. Warner. Springer-Verlag. http://www.springerlink.com/
Software
Astrometrica. http://www.astrometrica.at/ MPO Canopus. Bdw Publishing. http://www.minorplanetobserver.com/
References:
Baker, R., Pilcher, F., Benishek, V. (2011). Photometric Observations and Analysis of 1082 Pirola. Minor Planet Bulletin 38-2, 111-114. http://www.minorplanet.info/mpbdownloads.html
Bus, S. J., Binzel, R. P. (2002). Phase II of the small main-belt asteroid spectroscopic survey: A feature-based taxonomy. Icarus 158, 146-177. http://fkometes.pagesperso-orange.fr/documents%20pdf/bus_spectrum0_sdarticle.pdf
Dymock, R., Miles, R. (2009). A method for determining the V magnitude of asteroids from CCD images. Journal of the British Astronomical Association 119, 149-156. http://britastro.org/asteroids/JBAA%20119%20149-156%20Dymock1.pdf Harris, A.W. (1989). The H-G Asteroid Magnitude System: Mean Slope parameters. Lunar Planetary Science XX, 375-376. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc1989/pdf/1192.pdf Tedesco, E.F., Noah, P.V., Noah, M., and Price, S.D. (2002). The Supplemental IRAS Minor Planet Survey. The Astronomical Journal 123, 1056-1085. http://iopscience.iop.org/1538-3881/123/2/1056/pdf/1538-3881_123_2_1056.pdf Warner, B.D. (2007). Initial Results from a Dedicated H-G Project. The Minor Planet Bulletin 34-4, 113-119. http://www.minorplanet.info/mpbdownloads.html
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Observing Asteroids CCD

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Observing Asteroids CCD

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Observing Asteroids with CCD:

Measuring some characteristics with backyard instruments

Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society

Main-belt asteroid 581 Tauntonia

Reference stars from the CMC-14 catalog selected by Astrometrica.

Astrometry (from backyard observations)

Astrometry (from backyard observations) Photometry (from backyard observations)

Graphic from JPLs Small-Body Database Browser

Graphic from JPLs Small-Body Database Browser

Trans-Neptunian and Kuiper Belt objects

First time series: duration 6 hours.

2 time series separated by 24 days.

Complete coverage from 3 sessions, increasing precision.

Differential photometry & period analysis: MPO Canopus.

Differential standard V-band photometry: Astrometrica H-G utility: MPO Canopus

Taxonomic class Albedo Diameter Equitorial elongation Spin axis Shape

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