25th Annual Student Research Conference
Asteroid Shape and Spin Axis Modeling Via Light Curve Inversion
Paul D. Friz
Dr. Vayujeet Gokhale, Faculty Mentor
Knowledge of individual asteroids shapes and spin axes is vital to understanding the solar system. However, currently only 113 out of the 500,000 asteroids with known orbits have been modeled. By taking many light curves of asteroids over several apparitions it is possible to determine their shapes and spin axes by a process known as light curve inversion. Using data taken at the Truman Observatory in conjunction with data taken by other observers, made available through the Asteroid Photometric Catalogue, successful models of asteroids 291 Alice and 337 Devosa were obtained previously. Since October 2011 data has been taken on the asteroid 281 Lucretia and a model will be presented.
Keywords: Astronomy, Physics, Astrobiology, Asteroid, Formation of Solar System, Truman Observatory, Asteroid Shape and Spin Axis Modeling, Photometry
Topic(s):Astronomy
Physics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 306-1
Location: MG 1096
Time: 1:00