| 1. |
- Bagnulo, Stefano, et al.
(författare)
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Optical Spectropolarimetry of Binary Asteroid Didymos-Dimorphos before and after the DART Impact
- 2023
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 945:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have monitored the Didymos-Dimorphos binary asteroid in spectropolarimetric mode in the optical range before and after the DART impact. The ultimate goal was to obtain constraints on the characteristics of the ejected dust for modeling purposes. Before impact, Didymos exhibited a linear polarization rapidly increasing with phase angle, reaching a level of ∼5% in the blue and ∼4.5% in the red. The shape of the polarization spectrum was anticorrelated with that of its reflectance spectrum, which appeared typical of an S-class asteroid. After impact, the level of polarization dropped by about 1 percentage point (pp) in the blue band and about 0.5 pp in the red band, then continued to linearly increase with phase angle, with a slope similar to that measured prior to impact. The polarization spectra, once normalized by their values at an arbitrary wavelength, show very little or no change over the course of all observations before and after impact. The lack of any remarkable change in the shape of the polarization spectrum after impact suggests that the way in which polarization varies with wavelength depends on the composition of the scattering material, rather than on its structure, be this a surface or a debris cloud.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Fedorets, Grigori, et al.
(författare)
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Optimizing asteroid orbit computation for Gaia with normal points
- 2018
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 620
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. In addition to the systematic observations of known solar-system objects (SSOs), a continuous processing of new discoveries requiring fast responses is implemented as the short-term processing of Gaia SSO observations, providing alerts for ground-based follow-up observers. The common independent observation approach for the purposes of orbit computation has led to unrealistically large ephemeris prediction uncertainties when processing real Gaia data. Aims. We aim to provide ground-based observers with a cloud of sky positions that is shrunk to a fraction of the previously expected search area by making use of the characteristic features of Gaia astrometry. This enhances the efficiency of Gaia SSO follow-up network and leads to an increased rate of asteroid discoveries with reasonably constrained orbits with the help of ground-based follow-up observations of Gaia asteroids. Methods. We took advantage of the separation of positional errors of Gaia S SO observations into a random and systematic component. We treated the Gaia observations in an alternative way by collapsing up to ten observations that correspond to a single transit into a single so-called normal point. We implemented this input procedure in the Gaia S SO short-term processing pipeline and the OpenOrb software. Results. We validate our approach by performing extensive comparisons between the independent observation and normal point input methods and compare them to the observed positions of previously known asteroids. The new approach reduces the ephemeris uncertainty by a factor of between three and ten compared to the situation where each point is treated as a separate observation. Conclusions. Our new data treatment improves the sky prediction for the Gaia SSO observations by removing low-weight orbital solutions. These solutions originate from excessive curvature of observations, introduced by short-term variations of Gaia attitude on the one hand, and, as a main effect, shrinking of systematic error bars in the independent observation case on the other hand. We anticipate that a similar approach may also be utilized in a situation where observations from a single observatory dominate.
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| 4. |
- Gray, Zuri, et al.
(författare)
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Polarimetry of Didymos–Dimorphos: Unexpected Long-term Effects of the DART Impact
- 2024
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Ingår i: The Planetary Science Journal. - : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 2632-3338. ; 5:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have monitored the Didymos–Dimorphos binary system in imaging polarimetric mode before and after the impact from the Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission. A previous spectropolarimetric study showed that the impact caused a dramatic drop in polarization. Our longer-term monitoring shows that the polarization of the post-impact system remains lower than the pre-impact system even months after the impact, suggesting that some fresh ejecta material remains in the system at the time of our observations, either in orbit or settled on the surface. The slope of the post-impact polarimetric curve is shallower than that of the pre-impact system, implying an increase in albedo of the system. This suggests that the ejected material is composed of smaller and possibly brighter particles than those present on the pre-impact surface of the asteroid. Our polarimetric maps show that the dust cloud ejected immediately after the impact polarizes light in a spatially uniform manner (and at a lower level than pre-impact). Later maps exhibit a gradient in polarization between the photocentre (which probes the asteroid surface) and the surrounding cloud and tail. The polarization occasionally shows some small-scale variations, the source of which is not yet clear. The polarimetric phase curve of Didymos–Dimorphos resembles that of the S-type asteroid class.
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| 5. |
- Harju, Jorma, et al.
(författare)
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Radio Interferometric Observation of an Asteroid Occultation
- 2018
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Ingår i: Astronomical Journal. - : University of Chicago Press. - 0004-6256 .- 1538-3881. ; 156:4, s. 1-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The occultation of the radio galaxy 0141+268 by the asteroid(372)Palma on 2017 May 15 was observed using sixantennas of the Very Long Baseline Array(VLBA). The shadow of Palma crossed the VLBA station at Brewster,Washington. Owing to the wavelength used, and the size and the distance of the asteroid, a diffraction pattern in theFraunhofer regime was observed. The measurement retrieves both the amplitude and the phase of the diffractedelectromagnetic wave. This is thefirst astronomical measurement of the phase shift caused by diffraction. Themaximum phase shift is sensitive to the effective diameter of the asteroid. The bright spot at the shadow’s center,the so called Arago–Poisson spot, is clearly detected in the amplitude time-series, and its strength is a goodindicator of the closest angular distance between the center of the asteroid and the radio source. A sample ofrandom shapes constructed using a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm suggests that the silhouette of Palmadeviates from a perfect circle by 26±13%. The best-fitting random shapes resemble each other, and we suggesttheir average approximates the shape of the silhouette at the time of the occultation. The effective diameterobtained for Palma, 192.1±4.8 km, is in excellent agreement with recent estimates from thermal modeling ofmid-infrared photometry. Finally, our computations show that because of the high positional accuracy, a singleradio interferometric occultation measurement can reduce the long-term ephemeris uncertainty by an order ofmagnitude.
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| 6. |
- Jones, Geraint H., et al.
(författare)
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The Comet Interceptor Mission
- 2024
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Ingår i: Space Science Reviews. - : Springer Nature. - 0038-6308 .- 1572-9672. ; 220:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here we describe the novel, multi-point Comet Interceptor mission. It is dedicated to the exploration of a little-processed long-period comet, possibly entering the inner Solar System for the first time, or to encounter an interstellar object originating at another star. The objectives of the mission are to address the following questions: What are the surface composition, shape, morphology, and structure of the target object? What is the composition of the gas and dust in the coma, its connection to the nucleus, and the nature of its interaction with the solar wind? The mission was proposed to the European Space Agency in 2018, and formally adopted by the agency in June 2022, for launch in 2029 together with the Ariel mission. Comet Interceptor will take advantage of the opportunity presented by ESA’s F-Class call for fast, flexible, low-cost missions to which it was proposed. The call required a launch to a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L2 point. The mission can take advantage of this placement to wait for the discovery of a suitable comet reachable with its minimum Δ V capability of 600 ms − 1 . Comet Interceptor will be unique in encountering and studying, at a nominal closest approach distance of 1000 km, a comet that represents a near-pristine sample of material from the formation of the Solar System. It will also add a capability that no previous cometary mission has had, which is to deploy two sub-probes – B1, provided by the Japanese space agency, JAXA, and B2 – that will follow different trajectories through the coma. While the main probe passes at a nominal 1000 km distance, probes B1 and B2 will follow different chords through the coma at distances of 850 km and 400 km, respectively. The result will be unique, simultaneous, spatially resolved information of the 3-dimensional properties of the target comet and its interaction with the space environment. We present the mission’s science background leading to these objectives, as well as an overview of the scientific instruments, mission design, and schedule.
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| 7. |
- Karlsson, Ola
(författare)
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A Study of Jupiter Trojans
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Jupiter Trojan asteroid dynamics have been studied for a long time but it is only within the last decades that the known population has become large enough to make other studies meaningful. In four articles I have been scratching the surface of the unknown Trojan knowledge space.Paper I presents photometric observations confirming a larger variety in surface redness for the smaller Trojans compared to the larger ones, in line with the groups in the outer main asteroid belt. However, the largest Trojans are significantly redder compared to the largest Cybele and Hilda asteroids.Paper II is an investigation of the Trojan discovery completeness. The analysis shows that all Trojans down to a limiting absolute magnitude of H=11.5 mag have been discovered. Missing Trojans in the almost discovery-completed section should have inclinations above the mean of the same group. The faintest Trojans are discovery biased due to orbit orientations similar to the Milky Way.Paper III is a general review of dynamical and physical properties of the discovery-completed sample of Jupiter Trojans found in Paper II. The two Trojan swarms are often treated as being equal, but are different in a number of details. Two known facts are that the L5 swarm is less rich, while the L4 swarm has a larger fraction of low inclination Trojans. Trojans are in general red objects but the mean redness is higher for Trojans which have not collided compared to Trojans in families.Paper IIII is an investigation of Trojan collisions, family detection and evolution. Collision circumstances were mapped using numerical simulations and recorded Trojan close approaches. Synthetic families were created and evolved numerically. The result suggests that the HCM family detection technique can find Trojan families even in a densely populated parameter space. However, interlopers cannot be avoided at any level but their contribution should be less than 30%. Synthetic families can be identified with backwards orbital integrations for times up to a Gyr-scale. However, there are discrepancies between real Trojan families and my synthetic families.
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| 8. |
- Penttilä, Antti, et al.
(författare)
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Modeling Linear Polarization of the Didymos–Dimorphos System before and after the DART Impact
- 2024
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Ingår i: The Planetary Science Journal. - : Institute of Physics (IOP). - 2632-3338. ; 5:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We analyze the polarization observations of the Didymos–Dimorphos system before and after the impact by the NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test spacecraft on Dimorphos. We fit empirical polarization phase curve models and statistically confirm the discovery by Gray et al. about the degree of linear polarization of the system decreasing on the impact and remaining altered for at least 30 days post-impact. With numerical simulations of particles in the geometric optics domain, we estimate the dominant size of the particles either in the regolith of Didymos and Dimorphos or in the impact-driven ejecta cloud to be several hundred micrometers. The observed change between the pre-impact and post-impact systems indicates either a decrease in average particle size of some tens of micrometers or a decreased level of space weathering.
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| 9. |
- Rothery, David, et al.
(författare)
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Mercury's surface and composition to be studied by BepiColombo
- 2010
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Ingår i: Planetary and Space Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-0633 .- 1873-5088. ; 58:1-2, s. 21-39
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We describe the contributions that we expect the BepiColombo mission to make towards increased knowledge and understanding of Mercury's surface and composition. BepiColornbo will have a larger and more capable Suite of instruments relevant for determination of the topographic, physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of the surface than carried by NASA's MESSENGER mission. We anticipate that the insights gained into the planet's geological history and its current space weathering environment will enable us to understand the relationships between surface composition and the composition of different types of crust. This will enable estimation of the composition of the mantle from which the crust was derived, and lead to better constraints on models for Mercury's origin and the nature of the material from which it formed.
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| 10. |
- Skoglöv, Erik, 1968-
(författare)
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The Dynamical Spin Vector Evolution of the Asteroids
- 2002
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The dynamical evolution of the spin axis direction due to gravitational and thermal factors is examined. It is found that the spin axis variations generally are regular and relatively small for the bodies in the asteroid main belt. There are also reasons to believe that this is the case for minor objects beyond the main belt. However, it is found that these regular variations are larger when the orbital inclination of the objects is increased. This effect may explain certain features in the spin vector distribution of the main belt asteroids, not possible to explain by collisional factors. The spin vector evolution of the asteroids in the inner solar system, including the Earth- and Mars-crossing objects, is often subjected to strong forces related to frequencies in the orbital evolution. The variations in the spin vector direction are then very large and often subjected to chaos. The larger frequency related obliquity zones of the Mars-crossers are usually regular while the zones of the Earth-Mars-crossers often are of a chaotic nature. The spin vector evolution of asteroids with comet-like orbits is often chaotic regardless of initial obliquity. For the inner solar system asteroids, it is often possible for an initial prograde spin to turn into a retrograde one, or vice versa, due to the frequency related phenomena. Though some spin vector directions seem to be more probable than other ones over time, there are no indications for an evolution towards a more prograde or a more retrograde spin vector distribution.The effects on the spin vector evolution from the thermal Yarkovsky force are examined for objects with radii larger than 50 m. This force will affect the orbital evolution and thus indirectly affect the spin vector evolution. However, it is found that the studied effects are minor as compared to the gravitationally related ones. This is true both for the diurnal and the seasonal variants of the Yarkovsky force.
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| 11. |
- Torppa, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Added-value interfaces to asteroid photometric and spectroscopic data in the Gaia database
- 2018
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Ingår i: Advances in Space Research. - : Elsevier. - 0273-1177 .- 1879-1948. ; 62:2, s. 464-476
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present two added-value interfaces (AVIs) for analyzing photometric and spectroscopic data observed by the Gaia satellite. The Gaia Added-Value Interface for Temporal Analysis (GAVITEA) is used to calculate an estimate for the spin state and shape of an asteroid from its photometric data, and the Gaia Added-Value Interface for Spectral Classification (GAVISC) provides tools to define the taxonomic type and surface absorption coefficient based on spectroscopic asteroid data. Computations are mainly carried out using well-known methods of asteroid data analysis but the AVIs also offer the possibility to test novel methods that are specifically developed for analyzing temporally sparse photometric data, typical for Gaia.
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