THE MISSION ACCESSIBLE NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS SURVEY (MANOS): FIRST PHOTOMETRIC RESULTS
Name
The mission accessible.pdf
Size
6.67 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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Author(s)
Thirouin, A.
Moskovitz, N.
Christensen, E.
Polishook, D.
Thomas, C. A.
Trilling, D.
Willman, M.
Hinkle, M.
Burt, B.
Avner, D.
Date Issued
November 2016
Journal
The Astronomical Journal
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Citation
Thirouin, A., N. Moskovitz, R. P. Binzel, E. Christensen, F. E. DeMeo, M. J. Person, D. Polishook, et al. “THE MISSION ACCESSIBLE NEAR-EARTH OBJECTS SURVEY (MANOS): FIRST PHOTOMETRIC RESULTS.” The Astronomical Journal 152, no. 6 (November 14, 2016): 163. © 2016 The American Astronomical Society
Version
Final published version
Abstract
The Mission Accessible Near-Earth Objects Survey aims to physically characterize sub-km near-Earth objects (NEOs). We report the first photometric results from the survey that began in 2013 August. Photometric observations were performed using 1–4 m class telescopes around the world. We present rotational periods and light curve amplitudes for 86 sub-km NEOs, though in some cases only lower limits are provided. Our main goal is to obtain light curves for small NEOs (typically, sub-km objects) and estimate their rotational periods, light curve amplitudes, and shapes. These properties are used for a statistical study to constrain overall properties of the NEO population. A weak correlation seems to indicate that smaller objects are more spherical than larger ones. We also report seven NEOs that are fully characterized (light curve and visible spectra) as the most suitable candidates for a future human or robotic mission. Viable mission targets are objects fully characterized, with Δv [ superscript NHATS] ≤ 12 km s [superscript −1], and a rotational period P > 1 hr. Assuming a similar rate of object characterization as reported in this paper, approximately 1230 NEOs need to be characterized in order to find 100 viable mission targets.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.3847/0004-6256/152/6/163
