Modeling of asteroid spectra – M4AST

Popescu, M.; Birlan, Mirel; Nedelcu, A.

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201219584

Cited by 101 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The photometric results agree very well with the two spectra. We used the M4AST online tool (Popescu et al 2012) to classify our visible spectra of DA14, obtaining a taxonomic classification as an L-type. The computed R values for the nearinfrared are shown in the bottom panel of Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA₁₄during its closest approach of February 15, 2013

León

Ortiz

Pinilla-Alonso

et al. 2013

A&A

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Context. Near-Earth asteroid 2012 DA 14 made its closest approach on February 15, 2013, when it passed at a distance of 27 700 km from the Earth's surface. It was the first time an asteroid of moderate size was predicted to approach that close to the Earth, becoming bright enough to permit a detailed study from ground-based telescopes. Aims. Asteroid 2012 DA 14 was poorly characterized before its closest approach. The main objective of this work was to obtain new and valuable data to better understand its physical properties, and to evaluate the effects of such a close approach on the object. Methods. We acquired data using several telescopes on four Spanish observatories: the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and the 3.6 m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), both in the El Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM, La Palma); the 2.2 m CAHA telescope, in the Calar Alto Observatory (Almería); the f /3 0.77 m telescope in the La Hita Observatory (Toledo); and the f /8 1.5 m telescope in the Sierra Nevada Observatory (OSN, Granada). We obtained visible and near-infrared color photometry, visible spectra and time-series photometry. Results. Visible spectra together with visible and near-infrared color photometry of 2012 DA 14 show that the object can be classified as an L-type asteroid, a rare spectral type among the asteroid population, with a composition similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites. The time-series photometry provides a rotational period of 8.95 ± 0.08 h after the closest approach, and there are indications that the object suffered a spin-up during this event. The large amplitude of the light curve suggests that the object is very elongated and irregular, with an equivalent diameter of around 18 m. We obtain an absolute magnitude of H R = 24.5 ± 0.2, corresponding to H V = 25.0 ± 0.2 in V. The GTC photometry also gives H V = 25.29 ± 0.14. Both values agree with the value listed at the Minor Planet Center (MPC) shortly after discovery, although H V is very sensitive to the slope parameter G used to correct for phase angle. From the absolute photometry, together with some constraints on size and shape, we compute a geometric albedo of p V = 0.44 ± 0.20, which is slightly above the range of albedos known for L-type asteroids (0.082−0.405).

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA₁₄during its closest approach of February 15, 2013

León

Ortiz

Pinilla-Alonso

et al. 2013

A&A

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“…We used two online tools to analyze our spectra: 1) M4AST 4 (Popescu et al 2012) for merging visible and near-infrared (NIR) parts of the spectrum, for taxonomic classification, and for comparison with meteorites spectra; and 2) SMASS-MIT website 5 (further denoted MIT tool) for Bus-DeMeo taxonomy (DeMeo et al 2009) and for searching similar spectra obtained by the MIT group.…”

Section: Methods Used To Analyze Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A 0.8 × 15 arcsec slit oriented north-south was used. The spectra for the asteroids and the solar analog stars were alternatively obtained on two separate locations on the slit denoted A and B (Popescu et al 2012). …”

Section: The Observing Procedures and Data Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spectral properties of the largest asteroids associated with Taurid Complex

Popescu

Birlan

Nedelcu

et al. 2014

A&A

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Context. The Taurid Complex is a massive stream of material in the inner part of the Solar System. It contains objects spanning the range of 10 −6 -10 3 m, considered by some authors to have a common cometary origin. The asteroids belonging to Taurid Complex are on Apollo type orbit, with most of them being flagged as potentially hazardous asteroids. In this context, understanding the nature and the origin of this asteroidal population is not only of scientific interest but also of practical importance. Aims. We aim to investigate the surface mineralogy of the asteroids associated with Taurid Complex using visible and near-infrared spectral data. Compositional linking between these asteroids and meteorites can be derived based on the obtained spectra. Methods. We obtained spectra of six of the largest asteroids (2201, 4183, 4486, 5143, 6063, and 269690) associated with Taurid complex. The observations were made with the IRTF telescope equipped with the spectro-imager SpeX. Their taxonomic classification is made using Bus-DeMeo taxonomy. The asteroid spectra are compared with the meteorite spectra from the Relab database. Mineralogical models were applied to determine their surface composition. All the spectral analysis is made in the context of the already published physical data. Results. Five of the objects studied in this paper present spectral characteristics similar to the S taxonomic complex. The spectra of ordinary chondrites (spanning H, L, and LL subtypes) are the best matches for these asteroid spectra. The asteroid (269690) 1996 RG3 presents a flat featureless spectrum which could be associated to a primitive C-type object. The increased reflectance above 2.1 microns constrains its geometrical albedo to a value around 0.03. Conclusions. While there is an important dynamical grouping among the Taurid Complex asteroids, the spectral data of the largest objects do not support a common cometary origin. Furthermore, there are significant variations between the spectra acquired until now.

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“…The computations for the modeling methods described above were done using M4AST 4 (Popescu & Birlan 2011), which is software developed at IMCCE Paris to analyze asteroid spectra. This tool implements the algorithms for the aforementioned models.…”

Section: Methods Used To Analyze Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Spectral properties of eight near-Earth asteroids

Popescu

Birlan

Binzel

et al. 2011

A&A

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Context. Near-Earth objects are among the most accessible bodies in the solar system in terms of the spacecraft propulsion requirements to reach them. The choice of targets and the planning of space missions are based on high quality ground-based science. Aims. The knowledge of the ensemble of physical parameters for these objects, including their composition, is a critical point in defining any mission scientific objectives. Determining the physical properties of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) is also possible from the ground by analyzing spectroscopy at both visible and infrared wavelengths. Methods. We present spectra of eight NEAs (1917, 8567, 16960, 164400, 188452, 2001 SG286, and 2010 obtained using the NASA telescope IRTF equipped with the spectro-imager SpeX. The observations were performed in the 0.8-2.5 μm spectral region using the low resolution mode of the spectrograph. We completed the taxonomic classification using the Bus-DeMeo taxonomy. We analyzed the spectra by comparing them to meteorite spectra from the Relab database using a χ 2 approach. For the S-type asteroids of our sample, the band centers and BAR were calculated. We also attempted to interpret our data using a space-weathering model. Results. The taxonomic classification of five objects was reviewed and we assigned a corresponding type to the other three asteroids that were not classified before. We found that (1917) Cuyo, (8567) 1996 HW1, (16960) 1998 QS52, (188452) 2004 HE62, and 2010 are in the S-complex. We achieved a good matching of our S-type asteroids with the spectra of ordinary chondrites meteorites. The asteroid (5620) Jasonwheeler was found to have a NIR spectrum similar to carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. Thus, our results confirm its primitive properties obtained in several other spectral intervals.

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Modeling of asteroid spectra – M4AST

Cited by 101 publications

References 39 publications

Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA₁₄during its closest approach of February 15, 2013

Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA₁₄during its closest approach of February 15, 2013

Spectral properties of the largest asteroids associated with Taurid Complex

Spectral properties of eight near-Earth asteroids

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Modeling of asteroid spectra – M4AST

Cited by 101 publications

References 39 publications

Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA14during its closest approach of February 15, 2013

Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA14during its closest approach of February 15, 2013

Spectral properties of the largest asteroids associated with Taurid Complex

Spectral properties of eight near-Earth asteroids

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA₁₄during its closest approach of February 15, 2013

Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA₁₄during its closest approach of February 15, 2013