Polarimetry of M-type asteroids

Aims. Results of a polarimetric program at Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (Casleo), San Juan, Argentina are presented. The aim of this campaign is to estimate the polarimetric properties of asteroids belonging to the X taxonomic class. In this paper results of the campaign for M-type objects are presented. Methods. The data have been obtained with Casprof and Torino polarimeters at the 2.15 m telescope. The Casprof polarimeter is a two-hole aperture polarimeter with rapid modulation and the Torino polarimeter is an instrument that allows simultaneous measurement of polarization in the U-, B-, V-, R-, and I-bands. Results. The campaign began in 2000, and data on a sample of 26 M-type asteroids were obtained. Most of these objects were polarimetricaly observed for the first time. Combining these data with those available in the literature, an estimate of the polarimetric parameters and albedo for 12 objects is presented. Furthermore, the data show that asteroids 21 Lutetia and 77 Frigga have a large inversion angle and 441 Bathilde a deep polarization minimum, implying a controversial taxonomic classification as M-type for these objects. Also, the polarimetric parameters estimated for the M-type asteroids showing in their spectra the 3 μm band and classified as W-type by Rivkin et al. (1995, Icarus, 117, 90; 2000, ApJ, 145, 351) could be different from those without that feature.Fil: 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

Identification of Families Among Highly Inclined Asteroids

A dataset of 3652 high-inclination numbered asteroids was analyzed to search for dynamical families. A fully automated multivariate data analysis technique was applied to identify the groupings. Thirteen dynamical families and twenty-two clumps were found. When taxonomic information is available, the families show cosmochemical consistency and support an interpretation based on a common origin from a single parent body. Four families and three clumps found in this work show a size distribution which is compatible with a formation due to a cratering event on the largest member of the family, and also three families have B- or related taxonomic types members, which represents a 14% of the B-types classified by Bus and Binzel [2002. Icarus 158, 146-177].Fil: 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

Selecting candidate V-type asteroids from the analysis of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey colors

We present a systematic method to identify possible basaltic (V-type) asteroids using the Moving Objects Catalog (MOC) of the SDSS. The method is based on the Principal Components Analysis of the MOC colors combined with some refined criteria of segregation of the taxonomic classes. We found several V-type candidates outside the Vesta family, most of them in the inner asteroid belt. We also identified a few candidates in the middle/outer belt. Notwithstanding, their basaltic nature still needs to be conformed by spectroscopy, and these candidates are potential targets for observation using large telescopes.Fil: Roig, F.. Ministério de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacao. Observatorio Nacional; BrasilFil: 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

Polarimetric survey of main-belt asteroids: IV New results from the first epoch of the CASLEO survey

Aims: We present results of a polarimetric survey of main-belt asteroids at Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO), San Juan, Argentina. The aims of this survey are to increase the database of asteroid polarimetry, to estimate diversity in polarimetric properties of asteroids that belong to different taxonomic classes, and to search for objects that exhibit anomalous polarimetric properties. Methods: The data were obtained using the Torino and CASPROF polarimeters at the 2.15 m telescope. The Torino polarimeter is an instrument that allows simultaneous measurement of polarization in five different bands, and the CASPROF polarimeter is a two-hole aperture polarimeter with rapid modulation. Results: The survey began in 1995, and until 2012 data on a large sample of asteroids were obtained. We here present and analyze the unpublished results for 129 asteroids of different taxonomic types, 56 which were polarimetrically observed for the first time. We find that the asteroids (402) Chloe and (729) Watsonia are Barbarians, and asteroid (269) Justitia shows a phase – polarization curve that seems to have a small inversion angle. Data obtained in UBVRI colors allow us to sketch an analysis of the wavelength dependence of the degree of linear polarization for 31 asteroids, in spite of some large error bars in some cases.Fil: Gil Hutton, Ricardo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientí­ficas y Técnicas. Centro Cientí­fico Tecnológico San Juan. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Cellino, A.. Osservatorio Astrofisico di Torino; ItaliaFil: Bendjoya, Ph.. Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis. Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur; Franci

El sistema fotoeléctrico del reflector Cassegrain de la Estación Astronómica "Dr. Carlos Ulrrico Cesco"

UBV photoelectric observations of stars in the Standard Areas of Landolt (1973,1983) during the period March 1991 - May 1992 have permitted to study the photoelectric system of the cassegrain reflector at Estación Astronómica "Dr.Carlos Ulrrico Cesco" and compare the obtained values and the original ones. The result obtained is excellent and the residues are very small, including in the (U-B).Asociación Argentina de Astronomí

La nueva cámara CCD del O.A.F.A.

Se efectúa una descripción de la nueva cámara CCD instalada en el reflector de 76 cm. de la Estación Astronómica "Dr. Carlos Ulrico Cesco" y se presentan los resultados de las pruebas realizadas para controlar su funcionamiento y estimar su rendimiento.Asociación Argentina de Astronomí

La extinción atmosférica en la estación astronómica "Dr. Carlos Ulrrico Cesco"

With the object of obtain the extinction coefficients for the Estación Astronómica "Dr. Carlos Ulrrico Cesco" stars of the Standard Areas of Landolt (1973, 1983) have been observed during the period March 1991 - May 1992. An increasing in the primary extinction has been detected during the second semester of 1991 due mainly to the presence of particles in the atmosphere, while the secondary coefficients have been constant during this period. The mean values obtained for the first order extinction are: (U-B)= 0.22 ± 0.04, (B-V)= 0.15 ± 0.02 and V = 0.12 ± 0.03, and for the second order extinction are: (U-B)= 0.000 ± 0.010, (B-V)= -0.032 ± 0.006 and V=0.000 ± 0.009.Asociación Argentina de Astronomí

V-type asteroids in the middle main belt

V-type asteroids are bodies whose surfaces are constituted of basalt. In the Main Asteroid Belt, most of these asteroids are assumed to come from the basaltic crust of Asteroid (4) Vesta. This idea is mainly supported by (i) the fact that almost all the known V-type asteroids are in the same region of the belt as (4) Vesta, i.e., the inner belt (semi-major axis 2.1 1   km may come from the Vesta family by crossing over the 3/1 resonance. The remaining 70-90% must have a different origin.Fil: Roig, F.. Ministério de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacao. Observatorio Nacional; BrasilFil: Nesvorny, David. Southwest Research Institute; Estados UnidosFil: 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"; ArgentinaFil: Lazzaro, D.. Ministério de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacao. Observatorio Nacional; Brasi

A new insight into the Galactic potential: a simple secular model for the evolution of binary systems in the solar neighbourhood

Context. Among the main effects that the Milky Way exerts in binary systems, the Galactic tide is the only one that is not probabilistic and can be deduced from a potential. Therefore, it is possible to perform an analysis of the global structure of the phase space of binary systems in the solar neighbourhood using the Galactic potential. Aims. The aim of this work is to obtain a simple model to study the collisionless dynamical evolution of generic wide binaries systems in the solar neighbourhood. Methods. Through an averaging process, we reduced the three-dimensional potential of the Galaxy to a secular one-degree of freedom model. The accuracy of this model was tested by comparing its predictions with numerical simulations of the exact equations of motion of a two-body problem disturbed by the Galaxy. Results. Using the one-degree of freedom model, we developed a detailed dynamical study, finding that the secular Galactic tide period changes as a function of the separation of the pair, which also gives a dynamical explanation for the arbitrary classification between wide and tight binaries. Moreover, the secular phase space for a generic gravitationally bound pair is similar to the dynamical structure of a Lidov-Kozai resonance, but surprisingly this structure is independent of the masses and semimajor axis of the binary system. Thus, the Galactic potential is able to excite the initially circular orbit of binary systems to high values of eccentricity, which has important implications for studies of binary star systems (with and without exoplanets), comets, and Oort cloud objects.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Cratering rate on Pluto produced by the inner trans-Neptunian population

Aims. The aim of this work is to obtain the cratering rate on Pluto and to estimate the size distribution of the population in the inner trans-Neptunian region. Methods. We find the intrinsic collisional probability and the mean collision velocity for the interaction between Pluto and the projectile population crossing its orbit, using the L7 Synthetic Model from the CFEPS Project. The size distribution of this population is found using the smallest satellite of Pluto, Styx, as a constraint, because it survives the collisional process for the solar system age. Results. We find that the mean intrinsic collisional probability and mean collision velocity between Pluto and the projectile population are (Pi) = 1.3098 × 10-22 km-2 yr-1 and (Vcol) = 2.005 ± 0.822 km s-1. If the projectile sample is separated between Plutinos and non-Plutinos and the intrinsic collisional probability of these sub-populations are taken into account, we find a ratio of approximately 20:1 in favor of non-Plutinos resulting in the greatest contribution to the cratering rate on Pluto. The projectile population for the inner trans-Neptunian belt is characterized using a double power-law mean-size distribution with exponents qA = 3.5 and qB = 5.14 for the small and large size end of the population, respectively, and break radius at rb = 11.86 km or 7.25 km for mean densities of the projectiles ρ1 = 1.85 g cm-3 and ρ2 = 1 g cm-3. With this mean-size distribution we find that an object with radius of ~28 km produces a crater in Pluto with a diameter of ~250 km in a time larger than the solar system age, indicating that this kind of large structure has a very low probability of occurrence.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica