82 research outputs found
Large halloween asteroid at lunar distance
The near-Earth asteroid (NEA) 2015 TB had a very close encounter with Earth at 1.3 lunar distances on October 31, 2015. We obtained 3-band mid-infrared observations of this asteroid with the ESO VLT-VISIR instrument covering approximately four hours in total. We also monitored the visual lightcurve during the close-encounter phase. The NEA has a (most likely) rotation period of 2.939 ± 0.005 h and the visual lightcurve shows a peak-to-peak amplitude of approximately 0.12 ± 0.02 mag. A second rotation period of 4.779 ± 0.012 h, with an amplitude of the Fourier fit of 0.10 ± 0.02 mag, also seems compatible with the available lightcurve measurements. We estimate a V-R colour of 0.56 ± 0.05 mag from different entries in the MPC database. A reliable determination of the object's absolute magnitude was not possible. Applying different phase relations to the available R-/V-band observations produced H = 18.6 mag (standard H-G calculations) or H = 19.2 mag and H = 19.8 mag (via the H-G procedure for sparse and low-quality data), with large uncertainties of approximately 1 mag. We performed a detailed thermophysical model analysis by using spherical and partially also ellipsoidal shape models. The thermal properties are best explained by an equator-on (± 30°) viewing geometry during our measurements with a thermal inertia in the range 250-700 J m s K (retrograde rotation) or above 500 J m s K (prograde rotation). We find that the NEA has a minimum size of approximately 625 m, a maximum size of just below 700 m, and a slightly elongated shape with a/b 1.1. The best match to all thermal measurements is found for: (i) thermal inertia Γ = 900 J m s K; D = 644 m, p = 5.5% (prograde rotation with 2.939 h); regolith grain sizes of 50-100 mm; (ii) thermal inertia Γ = 400 J m s K; D = 667 m, p = 5.1% (retrograde rotation with 2.939 h); regolith grain sizes of 10-20 mm. A near-Earth asteroid model (NEATM) confirms an object size well above 600 m (best NEATM solution at 690 m, beaming parameter η = 1.95), significantly larger than early estimates based on radar measurements. In general, a high-quality physical and thermal characterisation of a close-encounter object from two-week apparition data is not easily possible. We give recommendations for improved observing strategies for similar events in the future. © ESO, 2017.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement No. 687378. Funding from Spanish grant AYA-2014-56637-C2-1-P is acknowledged. Hungarian funding from the NKFIH grant GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00003 is also acknowledged. R.D. acknowledges the support of MINECO for his Ramon y Cajal Contract.Peer Reviewe
Properties of the Irregular Satellite System around Uranus Inferred from K2, Herschel, and Spitzer Observations
In this paper, we present visible-range light curves of the irregular Uranian satellites Sycorax, Caliban, Prospero, Ferdinand, and Setebos taken with the Kepler Space Telescope over the course of the K2 mission. Thermal emission measurements obtained with the Herschel/PACS and Spitzer/MIPS instruments of Sycorax and Caliban were also analyzed and used to determine size, albedo, and surface characteristics of these bodies. We compare these properties with the rotational and surface characteristics of irregular satellites in other giant planet systems and also with those of main belt and Trojan asteroids and trans-Neptunian objects. Our results indicate that the Uranian irregular satellite system likely went through a more intense collisional evolution than the irregular satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. Surface characteristics of Uranian irregular satellites seem to resemble the Centaurs and trans-Neptunian objects more than irregular satellites around other giant planets, suggesting the existence of a compositional discontinuity in the young solar system inside the orbit of Uranus
Tidally locked rotation of the dwarf planet (136199) Eris discovered from long-term ground based and space photometry
The rotational states of the members in the dwarf planet - satellite systems
in the transneptunian region are determined by the formation conditions and the
tidal interaction between the components, and these rotational characteristics
are the prime tracers of their evolution. Previously a number of authors
claimed highly diverse values for the rotation period for the dwarf planet
Eris, ranging from a few hours to a rotation (nearly) synchronous with the
orbital period (15.8 d) of its satellite, Dysnomia. In this letter we present
new light curve data of Eris, taken with 1-2m-class ground based
telescopes, and with the TESS and Gaia space telescopes. TESS data could not
provide a well-defined light curve period, but could constrain light curve
variations to a maximum possible light curve amplitude of
0.03 mag (1-) for P 24 h periods. Both the combined ground-based
data and the Gaia measurements unambiguously point to a light curve period
equal to the orbital period of Dysnomia, P = 15.8 d, with a light curve
amplitude of 0.03 mag, i.e. the rotation of Eris is
tidally locked. Assuming that Dysnomia has a collisional origin, calculations
with a simple tidal evolution model show that Dysnomia has to be relatively
massive (mass ratio of q = 0.01--0.03) and large (radius of 300
km) to slow down Eris to synchronized rotation. These simulations also indicate
that -- assuming tidal parameters usually considered for transneptunian objects
-- the density of Dysnomia should be 1.8-2.4 , an exceptionally high
value among similarly sized transneptunian objects, putting important
constraints on the formation conditions.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters, data
of tables A.1, A.2 and A.4 are available at
https://cloud.konkoly.hu/s/ESiKi4GZyifJmj
Multi-wavelength study of the low-luminosity outbursting young star HBC 722
HBC 722 (V2493 Cyg) is a young eruptive star in outburst since 2010. It is an
FU Orionis-type object with an atypically low outburst luminosity. Because it
was well characterized in the pre-outburst phase, HBC 722 is one of the few
FUors where we can learn about the physical changes and processes associated
with the eruption. We monitored the source in the BVRIJHKs bands from the
ground, and at 3.6 and 4.5 m from space with the Spitzer Space Telescope.
We analyzed the light curves and the spectral energy distribution by fitting a
series of steady accretion disk models at many epochs. We also analyzed the
spectral properties of the source based on new optical and infrared spectra. We
also mapped HBC 722 and its surroundings at millimeter wavelengths. From the
light curve analysis we concluded that the first peak of the outburst in 2010
September was due to an abrupt increase of the accretion rate in the innermost
part of the system. This was followed by a long term process, when the
brightening was mainly due to a gradual increase of the accretion rate and the
emitting area. Our new observations show that the source is currently in a
constant plateau phase. We found that around the peak the continuum was bluer
and the H profile changed significantly between 2012 and 2013. The
source was not detected in the millimeter continuum, but we discovered a
flattened molecular gas structure with a diameter of 1700 au and mass of 0.3
M centered on HBC 722. While the first brightness peak could be
interpreted as a rapid fall of piled-up material from the inner disk onto the
star, the later monotonic flux rise suggests the outward expansion of a hot
component according to the theory of Bell & Lin (1994). Our study of HBC 722
demonstrated that accretion-related outbursts can occur in young stellar
objects even with very low mass disks, in the late Class II phase.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 3 online tables. Accepted for publication in the
A&
Large amplitude change in spot-induced rotational modulation of the Kepler Ap star KIC 2569073
An investigation of the 200 × 200 pixel 'superstamp' images of the centres of the open clusters NGC 6791 and NGC 6819 allows for the identification and study of many variable stars that were not included in the Kepler target list. KIC 2569073 (V=14.22), is a particularly interesting variable Ap star that we discovered in the NGC 6791 superstamp. With a rotational period of 14.67 days and 0.034-mag variability, it has one of the largest peak-to-peak variations of any known Ap star. Colour photometry reveals an anti-phase correlation between the B band, and the V, R and I bands. This Ap star is a rotational variable, also known as an α2 CVn, star, and is one of only a handful of Ap stars observed by Kepler. While no change in spot period or amplitude is observed within the 4-year Kepler timeseries, the amplitude shows a large increase compared to ground-based photometry obtained two decades ago
Exploring the circumstellar environment of the young eruptive star V2492 Cyg
Context. V2492 Cyg is a young eruptive star that went into outburst in 2010.
The near-infrared color changes observed since the outburst peak suggest that
the source belongs to a newly defined sub-class of young eruptive stars, where
time-dependent accretion and variable line-of-sight extinction play a combined
role in the flux changes.
Aims. In order to learn about the origin of the light variations and to
explore the circumstellar and interstellar environment of V2492 Cyg, we
monitored the source at ten different wavelengths, between 0.55 \mu m and 2.2
\mu m from the ground and between 3.6 \mu m and 160 \mu m from space.
Methods. We analyze the light curves and study the color-color diagrams via
comparison with the standard reddening path. We examine the structure of the
molecular cloud hosting V2492 Cyg by computing temperature and optical depth
maps from the far-infrared data.
Results. We find that the shapes of the light curves at different wavelengths
are strictly self-similar and that the observed variability is related to a
single physical process, most likely variable extinction. We suggest that the
central source is episodically occulted by a dense dust cloud in the inner
disk, and, based on the invariability of the far-infrared fluxes, we propose
that it is a long-lived rather than a transient structure. In some respects,
V2492 Cyg can be regarded as a young, embedded analog of UX Orionis-type stars.
Conclusions. The example of V2492 Cyg demonstrates that the light variations
of young eruptive stars are not exclusively related to changing accretion. The
variability provided information on an azimuthally asymmetric structural
element in the inner disk. Such an asymmetric density distribution in the
terrestrial zone may also have consequences for the initial conditions of
planet formation.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, 2 online tables, accepted for publication in A&
Thermal properties of large main-belt asteroids observed by Herschel PACS
Non-resolved thermal infrared observations enable studies of thermal and
physical properties of asteroid surfaces provided the shape and rotational
properties of the target are well determined via thermo-physical models. We
used calibration-programme Herschel PACS data (70, 100, 160 m) and
state-of-the-art shape models derived from adaptive-optics observations and/or
optical light curves to constrain for the first time the thermal inertia of
twelve large main-belt asteroids. We also modelled previously
well-characterised targets such as (1) Ceres or (4) Vesta as they constitute
important benchmarks. Using the scale as a free parameter, most targets
required a re-scaling 5\% consistent with what would be expected given
the absolute calibration error bars. This constitutes a good cross-validation
of the scaled shape models, although some targets required larger re-scaling to
reproduce the IR data. We obtained low thermal inertias typical of large main
belt asteroids studied before, which continues to give support to the notion
that these surfaces are covered by fine-grained insulating regolith. Although
the wavelengths at which PACS observed are longwards of the emission peak for
main-belt asteroids, they proved to be extremely valuable to constrain size and
thermal inertia and not too sensitive to surface roughness. Finally, we also
propose a graphical approach to help examine how different values of the
exponent used for scaling the thermal inertia as a function of heliocentric
distance (i.e. temperature) affect our interpretation of the results.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics (preprint
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