1,855 research outputs found
The Yarkovsky Drift's Influence on NEAs: Trends and Predictions with NEOWISE Measurements
We used WISE-derived geometric albedos (p_V) and diameters, as well as
geometric albedos and diameters from the literature, to produce more accurate
diurnal Yarkovsky drift predictions for 540 near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) out of
the current sample of \sim 8,800 known objects. As ten of the twelve objects
with the fastest predicted rates have observed arcs of less than a decade, we
list upcoming apparitions of these NEAs to facilitate observations.Comment: Accepted for publication by The Astronomical Journal. 41 pages, 3
figure
A revised asteroid polarization-albedo relationship using WISE/NEOWISE data
We present a reanalysis of the relationship between asteroid albedo and
polarization properties using the albedos derived from the Wide-field Infrared
Survey Explorer. We find that the function that best describes this relation is
a three-dimensional linear fit in the space of log(albedo)-log(polarization
slope)-log(minimum polarization). When projected to two dimensions the
parameters of the fit are consistent with those found in previous work. We also
define p* as the quantity of maximal polarization variation when compared with
albedo and present the best fitting albedo-p* relation. Some asteroid taxonomic
types stand out in this three-dimensional space, notably the E, B, and M Tholen
types, while others cluster in clumps coincident with the S- and C-complex
bodies. We note that both low albedo and small (D<30 km) asteroids are
under-represented in the polarimetric sample, and we encourage future
polarimetric surveys to focus on these bodies.Comment: 16 pages, Accepted to Ap
Revising the age for the Baptistina asteroid family using WISE/NEOWISE data
We have used numerical routines to model the evolution of a simulated
Baptistina family to constrain its age in light of new measurements of the
diameters and albedos of family members from the Wide-field Infrared Survey
Explorer. We also investigate the effect of varying the assumed physical and
orbital parameters on the best-fitting age. We find that the physically allowed
range of assumed values for the density and thermal conductivity induces a
large uncertainty in the rate of evolution. When realistic uncertainties in the
family members' physical parameters are taken into account we find the
best-fitting age can fall anywhere in the range of 140-320 Myr. Without more
information on the physical properties of the family members it is difficult to
place a more firm constraint on Baptistina's age.Comment: 27 pages, 16 figures, accepted to Ap
Thermal Model Calibration for Minor Planets Observed with WISE/NEOWISE: Comparison with IRAS
With thermal infrared observations detected by the NEOWISE project, we have
measured diameters for 1742 minor planets that were also observed by the
Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). We have compared the diameters and
albedo derived by applying a spherical thermal model to the objects detected by
NEOWISE and find that they are in generally good agreement with the IRAS
values. We have shown that diameters computed from NEOWISE data are often less
systematically biased than those found with IRAS. This demonstrates that the
NEOWISE dataset can provide accurate physical parameters for the >157,000 minor
planets that were detected by NEOWISE.Comment: ApJ Letters accepte
NEOWISE Studies of Spectrophotometrically Classified Asteroids: Preliminary Results
The NEOWISE dataset offers the opportunity to study the variations in albedo
for asteroid classification schemes based on visible and near-infrared
observations for a large sample of minor planets. We have determined the
albedos for nearly 1900 asteroids classified by the Tholen, Bus and Bus-DeMeo
taxonomic classification schemes. We find that the S-complex spans a broad
range of bright albedos, partially overlapping the low albedo C-complex at
small sizes. As expected, the X-complex covers a wide range of albedos. The
multi-wavelength infrared coverage provided by NEOWISE allows determination of
the reflectivity at 3.4 and 4.6 m relative to the visible albedo. The
direct computation of the reflectivity at 3.4 and 4.6 m enables a new
means of comparing the various taxonomic classes. Although C, B, D and T
asteroids all have similarly low visible albedos, the D and T types can be
distinguished from the C and B types by examining their relative reflectance at
3.4 and 4.6 m. All of the albedo distributions are strongly affected by
selection biases against small, low albedo objects, as all objects selected for
taxonomic classification were chosen according to their visible light
brightness. Due to these strong selection biases, we are unable to determine
whether or not there are correlations between size, albedo and space
weathering. We argue that the current set of classified asteroids makes any
such correlations difficult to verify. A sample of taxonomically classified
asteroids drawn without significant albedo bias is needed in order to perform
such an analysis.Comment: Accepted to Ap
Space-Based Thermal Infrared Studies of Asteroids
Large-area surveys operating at mid-infrared wavelengths have proven to be a
valuable means of discovering and characterizing minor planets. Through the use
of radiometric models, it is possible to derive physical properties such as
diameters, albedos, and thermal inertia for large numbers of objects. Modern
detector array technology has resulted in a significant improvement in spatial
resolution and sensitivity compared with previous generations of space-based
infrared telescopes, giving rise to a commensurate increase in the number of
objects that have been observed at these wavelengths. Space-based infrared
surveys of asteroids therefore offer an effective means of rapidly gathering
information about small body populations' orbital and physical properties. The
AKARI, WISE/NEOWISE, Spitzer, and Herschel missions have significantly
increased the number of minor planets with well-determined diameters and
albedos.Comment: Chapter for Asteroids IV book (accepted for publication
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