12 research outputs found
Near-Earth asteroids spectroscopic survey at Isaac Newton Telescope
The population of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) shows a large variety of
objects in terms of physical and dynamical properties. They are subject to
planetary encounters and to strong solar wind and radiation effects. Their
study is also motivated by practical reasons regarding space exploration and
long-term probability of impact with the Earth. We aim to spectrally
characterize a significant sample of NEAs with sizes in the range of 0.25
- 5.5 km (categorized as large), and search for connections between their
spectral types and the orbital parameters. Optical spectra of NEAs were
obtained using the Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) equipped with the IDS
spectrograph. These observations are analyzed using taxonomic classification
and by comparison with laboratory spectra of meteorites. A total number of 76
NEAs were observed. We classified 44 of them as Q/S-complex, 16 as B/C-complex,
eight as V-types, and another eight belong to the remaining taxonomic classes.
Our sample contains 27 asteroids categorized as potentially hazardous and 31
possible targets for space missions including (459872) 2014 EK24, (436724) 2011
UW158, and (67367) 2000 LY27. The spectral data corresponding to (276049) 2002
CE26 and (385186) 1994 AW1 shows the 0.7 m feature which indicates the
presence of hydrated minerals on their surface. We report that Q-types have the
lowest perihelia (a median value and absolute deviation of AU)
and are systematically larger than the S-type asteroids observed in our sample.
We explain these observational evidences by thermal fatigue fragmentation as
the main process for the rejuvenation of NEA surfaces. In general terms, the
taxonomic distribution of our sample is similar to the previous studies and
matches the broad groups of the inner main belt asteroids. Nevertheless, we
found a wide diversity of spectra compared to the standard taxonomic types.Comment: Accepted in Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A
Discovery and physical characterization as the first response to a potential asteroid collision: The case of 2023 DZ2
Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) that may evolve into impactors deserve detailed
threat assessment studies. Early physical characterization of a would-be
impactor may help in optimizing impact mitigation plans. We first detected NEA
2023~DZ on 27--February--2023. After that, it was found to have a Minimum
Orbit Intersection Distance (MOID) with Earth of 0.00005~au as well as an
unusually high initial probability of becoming a near-term (in 2026) impactor.
We aim to perform a rapid but consistent dynamical and physical
characterization of 2023~DZ as an example of a key response to mitigate
the consequences of a potential impact. We use a multi-pronged approach,
drawing from various methods (observational/computational) and techniques
(spectroscopy/photometry from multiple instruments), and bringing the data
together to perform a rapid and robust threat assessment.} The visible
reflectance spectrum of 2023~DZ is consistent with that of an X-type
asteroid. Light curves of this object obtained on two different nights give a
rotation period =6.27430.0005 min with an amplitude
=0.570.14~mag. We confirm that although its MOID is among the smallest
known, 2023~DZ will not impact Earth in the foreseeable future as a
result of secular near-resonant behaviour. Our investigation shows that
coordinated observation and interpretation of disparate data provides a robust
approach from discovery to threat assessment when a virtual impactor is
identified. We prove that critical information can be obtained within a few
days after the announcement of the potential impactor.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 15 page
The EURONEAR Lightcurve Survey of Near Earth Asteroids
International audienc
The EURONEAR lightcurve survey of Near Earth Asteroids 2017–2020
This is the fourth data paper publishing lightcurve survey work of 52 Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) using 10 telescopes available to the EURONEAR network between 2017 and 2020. Forty six targets were not observed before our runs (88% of the sample) but some of these were targeted during the same oppositions mainly by Brian Warner. We propose new periods for 20 targets (38% of the sample), confirming published data for 20 targets, while our results for 8 targets do not match published data. We secured periods for 15 targets (29% of the sample), candidate periods for 23 objects (44%), tentative periods for 11 asteroids (21%), and have derived basic information about 3 targets (6% of the sample). We calculated the lower limit of the ellipsoid shape ratios a/b for 46 NEAs (including 13 PHAs). We confirmed or suggested 4 binary objects, recommending two of them for follow-up during future dedicated campaigns
Ready for EURONEAR NEA surveys using the NEARBY moving source detection platform
In 2015 we started a PhD thesis aiming to write a moving objects processing system (MOPS) aimed to detect near Earth asteroids (NEAs) in astronomical surveys planned within the EURONEAR project. Based on this MOPS experience, in 2017 we proposed the NEARBY project to the Romanian Space Agency, which awarded funding to the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN) and the University of Craiovafor building a cloud-based online platform to reduce survey images, detect, validate and report in near real time asteroid detections and NEA candidates. The NEARBY platform was built and is available at UTCN since Feb 2018, being tested during 5 pilot surveys observed in 2017-2018 with the Isaac Newton Telescope in La Palma. Two NEAs were discovered in Nov 2018 (2018 VQ1 and 2018 VN3), being recovered and reported to MPC within 2 hours. Other 4 discovered NEAs were found from a few dozen possible NEA candidates promptly being followed, allowing us to discover 22 Hungarias and 7 Mars crossing asteroids using the NEARBY platform. Compared with other few available software, NEARBY could detect more asteroids (by 8-41%), but scores less than human detection (by about 10%). Using resulted data, the astrometric accurancy, photometric limits and an INT NEA survey case study are presented as guidelines for planning future surveys
The EURONEAR Lightcurve Survey of Near Earth Asteroids 2017–2020
This is the fourth data paper publishing lightcurve survey work of 52 Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) using 10 telescopes available to the EURONEAR network between 2017 and 2020. Forty six targets were not observed before our runs (88% of the sample) but some of these were targeted during the same oppositions mainly by Brian Warner. We propose new periods for 20 targets (38% of the sample), confirming published data for 20 targets, while our results for 8 targets do not match published data. We secured periods for 15 targets (29% of the sample), candidate periods for 23 objects (44%), tentative periods for 11 asteroids (21%), and have derived basic information about 3 targets (6% of the sample). We calculated the lower limit of the ellipsoid shape ratios a/b for 46 NEAs (including 13 PHAs). We confirmed or suggested 4 binary objects, recommending two of them for follow-up during future dedicated campaigns