Asteroids with unusual lightcurves: 14 Irene and 51 Nemausa

Some asteroids with peculiar light curves were chosen for more detail investigation. We present the first results of that study. Observations were obtained in 1989 and 1990 using the 70-cm telescope of Kharkov Observatory; the 40-cm telescope of Abastumani Observatory (Georgia), and the 60-cm telescope of the Main Astronomical Observatory of Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (Mt. Majdanak, Middle Asia). Observations and their reduction were carried out in a standard way. The aspect data, absolute magnitude of primary maximum, and lightcurve amplitude are given

Puzzling asteroid 21 Lutetia: our knowledge prior to the Rosetta fly-by

A wide observational campaign was carried out in 2004-2009 aimed to complete the ground-based investigation of Lutetia prior to the Rosetta fly-by in July 2010. We have obtained BVRI photometric and V-band polarimetric measurements over a wide range of phase angles, and visible and infrared spectra in the 0.4-2.4 micron range. We analyzed them together with previously published data to retrieve information on Lutetia's surface properties. Values of lightcurve amplitudes, absolute magnitude, opposition effect, phase coefficient and BVRI colors of Lutetia surface seen at near pole-on aspect have been determined. We defined more precisely parameters of polarization phase curve and showed their distinct deviation from any other moderate-albedo asteroid. An indication of possible variations both in polarization and spectral data across the asteroid surface was found. To explain features found by different techniques we propose that (i) Lutetia has a non-convex shape, probably due to the presence of a large crater, and heterogeneous surface properties probably related to surface morphology; (ii) at least part of the surface is covered by a fine-grained regolith with particle size less than 20 microns; (iii) the closest meteorite analogues of Lutetia's surface composition are particular types of carbonaceous chondrites or Lutetia has specific surface composition not representative among studied meteorites

Unusual polarimetric properties of (101955) Bennu: similarities with F-class asteroids and cometary bodies

We have obtained polarimetric measurements of asteroid (101955) Bennu, a presumably primitive near-Earth object (NEO) that is the target of NASA's sample return mission OSIRIS-REx. During our observing campaign, Bennu was visible from Earth under a wide range of illumination conditions, with phase-angle in the range 16 to 57 degrees. Together with (3200) Phaethon and (152679) 1998 KU2, observed very recently, Bennu is the only existing example of a primitive NEO observed in polarimetric mode over a wide interval of phase angles. Based on our polarimetric data, we propose that Bennu belongs to the unusual F taxonomic class defined in the 80s. According to previous works, the F-class includes objects with cometary features. This fact can be of great importance for the interpretation of the results of the exploration of this object by OSIRIS-REx. From polarimetry we also derive an estimate of the geometric albedo of Bennu: 0.059 +/- 0.003.Comment: Accepted by MNRAS Letter

Polarimetry of transneptunian objects (136472) Makemake and (90482) Orcus

Context. We study the surface properties of transneptunian populations of Solar-system bodies. Aims. We investigate the surface characteristics of the dwarf planet (136472) Makemake and the resonant object (90482) Orcus. Methods. Using the FORS2 instrument of the ESO-VLT we have carried out linear polarisation measurements of Makemake and Orcus. Results. Polarisation of Orcus is similar to that of smaller size objects. The polarimetric properties of Makemake are very close to those of Eris and Pluto. We have not found any significant differences in the polarisation properties of objects from different dynamical classes. However, there are significant differences in polarisation of large and smaller size objects, and between large TNOs with water-ice and methane-ice dominated surfaces. Conclusions. We confirm the different types of polarisation phase behavior for the largest and smaller size TNOs. To explain subtle surface polarisation of Pluto, Makemake and Eris we assume that their surfaces are covered by a thin layer of hoarfrost masking the surface structure

Unexpected result for the acylation of arylhydrazonoethanethioamides

The acylation of arylhydrazonoethanethioamides containing primary amino group did not yield acylthioamides as expected. Surprisingly, the cyclic 5-acylimino-2,5-dihydro-1,2,3-thiadiazoles were obtained. The formation of thiadiazoles in this reaction was explained by the higher ability of arylhydrazono-N-acylthioacetamide intermediates to be oxidized comparing to their precursors. The presence of pseudobicyclic aromatic structure in the reaction product was a main factor favoring the formation of 1,2,3-thiadiazole ring. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Polarimetric survey of asteroids with the Asiago telescope

We present the first results of an asteroid photo--polarimetry program started at Asiago--Cima Ekar Observatory. The aim of our survey is to estimate diversity in polarimetric properties of asteroids belonging to different taxonomic and dynamical classes. The data were obtained with the polarization analyser placed inside the Faint Object Spectrographic Camera (AFOSC) of the 1.8m telescope. This instrument allows simultaneous measurements of the two first Stokes parameters without any lambda/2 retarding plate. Our survey began in 2002, and up to now we have obtained data on a sample of 36 asteroids; most of them are being investigated with the polarimetric technique for the first time. Combining our data with those already available in literature, we present an estimate of the inversion angle for 7 asteroids in this paper. Furthermore, we present the polarimetric measurements of the rare asteroid classes belonging to the A and D types and a detailed VRI observations at extremely small phase angles of the low albedo asteroid 1021 Flammari

Asteroid Compositions: some evidence from polarimetry

Although it cannot provide direct and unambiguous information on the mineralogical composition of an asteroid surface, polarimetry is a very useful tool to get an improved understanding of parameters which are intimately related to surface composition and regolith structure. In recent times there has been a revival in the field of asteroid polarimetry, on the theoretical side, in relation to experimental simulations, and due to the activity of some teams who are engaged in extensive observational campaigns. Some new discoveries of objects exhibiting unprecedented polarimetric properties have been done. The above subjects are briefly reviewed.Fil: Cellino, A.. Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica; ItaliaFil: Di Martino, M.. Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica; ItaliaFil: Levasseur Regourd, A. C.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Universidad Pierre y Marie Curie; FranciaFil: Belskaya, I. N.. Astronomical Institute of Kharkiv National University; UcraniaFil: Bendjoya, Ph.. Universite Nice; FranciaFil: Gil Hutton, Ricardo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito"; Argentin

Asteroid observations at low phase angles. IV : Average parameters for the new H, G1, G2 magnitude system

Peer reviewe