Transcript Observations of the asteroid 4844 Matsuyama

Catch an asteroid
One project for luminous bodies, which could
became an object for a space mission in the
close future . . . . . .
Who, why and how you will learn now from:
Students’ team “Hunters of an asteroids” : Ivan Popov – 10th grade
Petar Daskalov – 11th grade
Aleksandar Ivanov – 11th grade
Teacher: Veselka Radeva
Public astronomical observatory and planetarium
“Nicolaus Copernicus”, Varna
Introduction
Asteroids are one of the most interesting, but still poorly studied
object in our big home – the Solar system.
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Fig. 1 The team of the project and a
photo collage of the asteroid “Eros”.
The project “Catch an asteroid” is our view towards one carbon asteroid.
We introduce you to our telescopic observations of this object and our
results from the processed images.
Introduction
We tracked the movement of this asteroid in one night, as we measured
his equatorial coordinates. These data we sent to the Center of minor
planets in Harvard, where astronomical observations for the asteroids
are collected.
Fig. 2 The team of the project and the participants in the
Summer astronomical-school in NAO-Rozhen
Measuring the brightness of the asteroid, we determined, that his important
physical characteristic the period of rotation of the axis is 2.7072 hours.
1.Asteroids – minor objects in the Solar
system
2.Choice of asteroid
3.Observation of the asteroid
4.Determination of equatorial
coordinates
5.Determination of period of rotation
6.Analysis of the results
7.Space mission to the asteroid
Asteroids – minor objects in the Solar
system
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Type: minor objects with solid surface
Location: mainly in the zone between Mars and Jupiter
Dynamics: they circle around the Sun in ellipses
Nature: carbon, silicate, metal
Number: by December 2012 – 347 481 asteroids, from
them over 16 000 with specified orbits and names
Fig. 3 Asteroids – gallery
Equatorial coordinate system
Astrometrical observations are made with the
purpose of defining the equatorial coordinates
(ascension and declination) of the asteroids.
Fig. 4 Equatorial coordinates – designation on the celestial sphere.
Orbit elements
Astrometrical observations, in which equatorial coordinates of
the asteroids and comets are calculated with the purpose of
defining their orbits.
Orbit elements are: the length of the semi-major axis of the ellipse,
perihelionical distance, eccentricity of the orbit, inclination of the orbit,
length of the descending node, argument of perihelion, period of rotation
of the object around the Sun, time of perihelion, anomaly and aphelion
distance.
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Fig. 5 Orbit elements.
Physical characteristics
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Absolute star magnitude
Mass
Density
Geometric albedo
Temperature
Rotation period
Fig. 6 Asteroids - gallery.
Classification of the asteroids
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There are two type of classification:
1) Of the astronomer Tolen (based on
photometrical observations)
2) Spectral taxonomic classification SMASSII:
• K-class asteroids - mainly carbon, 75%
• C-class asteroids - mainly silicate, 17%
• M-class asteroids - metal, 8%.
Space missions to asteroids
• Galileo – 243 Ida
• NEAR Shoemaker (Near
Earth Asteroid Rendezvous)
– 253 Matilda and 433 Eros
• Deep Space 1: 9969 Braile
• Cassini: 2685 Mazurski
• Muses-C: 1998 SF36
• Rozetta&: 140 Siva and to
479 Otawara
Fig. 7 Space missions to asteroids
Choice of an asteroid
Criteria:
Chemical composition: from the carbon group.
Orbital motion of the asteroid: representative from the inside
part of the main asteroid belt (the closer to Mars).
Space mission to asteroids. Carbon asteroids are frequent
objects of space studies, because they are rich in useful
elements and compounds for the industry
Visibility of the asteroid: It was important for us to choose an
asteroid, visible for the time of the summer astronomical
observation school.
4844 Matsuyama (1991 BA2)
The asteroid was discovered in 23.01.1991 by the
astronomers Seiji Ueda and Hiroshi Kaneda.
Fig. 8 Orbital elements of
the asteroid 4844
Orbital diagram for the date of observation of
the asteroid
Fig. 9 Orbital diagram for the date of observation
Physical parameters of the asteroid
Matsuyama 4844
Fig. 10 Physical parameters of the asteroid: absolute star
magnitude, rotation period and classification
Fig. 11 The Schmidt telescope in NAO-Rozhen with which
we made the observations of the asteroid 4844
Observations of the asteroid 4844 Matsuyama
The summer astronomical observation school
from 1 to 10 july 2012 in NAO-Rozhen.
Фиг. 12. НАблюдения на астероида с
50/70 Шмит телескопа на НАО-Рожен
The observations of the asteroid 4844 Matsuyama we taken
out with 50/70 cm Schmidt telescope in National
astronomical observatory “Rozhen”
Fig. 13 Scheme of the Schmidt telescope with which we
took the observations of the asteroid
CCD observations of the asteroid 4844
Matsuyama
Fig. 14 Image of the field in which is the asteroid made in every 30 minutes
Determination of the equatorial coordinatesascension and declination
Fig. 15 The procedure of determination of the equatorial coordinates of the asteroid for
each of the 96 images with the program Astrometrica
Our report with the results of the measurement
of the position of the asteroid 4844 was sent to
the database in the Center of minor planets in
Harvard.
Our measurements became part of the
database of the asteroid 4844 with which
orbital elements and eventual changes to the
asteroid motion under the impact of other
asteroids in the Main asteroid belt will be
made.
Fig. 16 Report with the measured equatorial coordinates of
the asteroid in images made with the Schmidt telescope.
Determination of the rotational period
of the asteroid
Fig. 17 Image with the asteroid and stars for comparison
Fig. 18 Photometry of the asteroid 4844 Matsuyama: a compare between the brightness
of the asteroid and the brightness of five standard stars
Fig.19. Graphic presenting of the photometric file of the asteroid 4844 Matsuyama.
On basis of the photometric file, we calculated that the
period of rotation of the asteroid is 0,112801 days
which is 2,7072 hours
Fig. 20. The observatory light curves, staged curved lights and the calculated period of
rotation.
Analysis of the results
1. The equatorial coordinates of the asteroid are measured.
2. Appointed period of rotation around its axis
Our team: 2.7072 hours
The astronomer Berend : 2.7232 hours
The difference of 5,76 seconds is too small and it can be explained with
the very slight delay of the rotating because of the possible gravitational
perturbations when the asteroid is passing closer to bigger asteroids or
because of the effect of the Yarkowsky.
Figure 21.Illustration of the effect of
Yarkowsky
Space mission to the asteroid
Main objective: a detailed research of the movement, surface
and composition of the asteroid 4844 Matsuyama.
An important purpose of the space mission to the asteroid is
an analysis of the chemical composition of the asteroid 4844
Matsuyama: content of minerals, organic compounds, water
and other.
Other objective of the mission is the detailed mapping of the
asteroid: to collect information for the texture, chemistry and
spectral characteristics of the regolith on all small and big
forms on the asteroid.
Planning the mission
Launching the spacecraft:
Figure 22. An orbit diagram of the asteroid for the
time on launching the space equipment to asteroid
Reaching the asteroid for three years!
Researching the asteroid- for 6 months!
Departure for the Earth with an asteroid probe!
Fig. 23. An orbit diagram of the asteroid when drill is pointed to the Earth
Conclusion
We think that we have successfully
catched our object: first with the big
Schmidt telescope and then- with a
future cosmic mission to our asteroid.
On basis of our knowledge about this
asteroid, we simulated its own
movement in the time to select the
most appropriate time for launching a
cosmic drill to it.
We planned this cosmic mission in a
way that we can in shortest time to
explore in details its surface, sizes
and composition.
With this cosmic mission we are
preparing for future using the
resources of our object.
Fig. 24. The team of the project is
working on observations
Appreciation
We pronounce our gratitude to associate professor Dr Tanyo Bonev,
Director of IA s NAO. We are also thankful to astronomers from National
Astronomical Observatory- Rozhen Dinko Dimitrov, Pencho Markishki, Dr
Galin Borisov, Andon Kostov. We are grateful to students who study
astrophysics from the University of Edinburgh- Verghil Yotov and Denitsa
Sainova for giving an opportunity to work with the observing facilities, for
advices, discussions, conversations- for this that they showed us how
interesting and exciting is the work of astronomers!
We are thankful to Professor Kyurkchieva from the Astronomical center of
Shumen University for giving us a licensed professional computer
programs Astrometrica and MaxImDL and for the supporting the
preparation of our project.
References
1.Asteroids: Formation, Discovery and Exploration,
http://www.space.com/51-asteroids-formation-discovery-and exploration.html
2.Minor Planet Names, http://www.ipa.nw.ru/PAGE/DEPFUND/LSBSS/englenam.htm
3.Minor Planet Names: Alphabetical List
http://www.minorplanetcenter.org/iau/lists/MPNames.html
4.JPL Small-Body Database Browser - 4844 Matsuyama (1991 BA2),
http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=4844+Matsuyama
5.Tholen, D. J. , Asteroid taxonomic classifications. In Asteroids II (R. P. Binzel, T. Gehrels, and M. S.
Matthews, Eds), pp. 1139-1150. Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1989.
6.Bus, S. J., Vilas, F. and Barucc, M. A., Visible-wavelength spectroscopy of asteroids in Asteroids III, pp.169,
University of Arizona Press, 2002.
7. National Olympics of Astronomy, Equatorial coordinates,
http://astro-olymp.org/9.html
8.Raab, H., Astrometrica – Shareware for research grade CCd Astrometry
http://www.astrometrica.at/
9.MaxIm DL : The Gold Standard, www.cyanogen.com
10. ESA, Past missions to the asteroids,
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Technology/NEO/Past_missions
11.National astronomical observatory, Rozhen, Bulgaria,
http://nao-rozhen.org/index_bg.htm
12.50/70 Schmidt telescope,
http://nao-rozhen.org/telescopes/fr17.htm
13.Minor Planet & Comet Ephemeris Service
http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html
14.Behrend, R., Asteroids and comets rotation curves, ChR,
http://obswww.unige.ch/~behrend/page5cou.html#004844
15.What is the Yarkovski effect?
http://osiris-rex.lpl.arizona.edu/?q=faq#t2n68
Thank you for attention!
For contacts:
Team:
Ivan Popov, [email protected]
Petar Daskalov, [email protected]
Aleksandar Ivanov, [email protected]
Couch:
Veselka Radeva, [email protected]
Astronomic Observatory and Planetarium, Varna