Presenter(s): Nicole Ringsdorf
Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Jim Imamura & Scott Fisher
Poster 18
Session: Sciences
In 1967 Pine Mountain Observatory (PMO) made its first observations of astronomical objects that included everything from nearby planets and asteroids to distant nebulae and galaxies. In 2018, PMO continues to make research-grade observations of various kinds of celestial targets. In this poster we present the results of Broad-band optical photometry of the asteroid 93 Minerva using the 0.35 m Robbins telescope on September 5, 2018 (UTC). On this night the target asteroid was continuously observed for roughly 2.5 hours to measure variations in its light curve. The shape and magnitude of the changes in the light curve can be used to determine physical characteristics of the target including rotation period and 3-D shape. Photometry of the target, as well as calibrations stars, was performed using The Aperture Photometry Tool (v.2.7.5). Although there were limitations in the data due to non-optimal observing conditions, our obtained light curve closely matches previously published 93 Minerva data. These data are a successful proof-of-concept of our ability to perform accurate photometry of moderately faint objects at PMO. With this successful test, we will soon start a larger asteroid monitoring program at PMO. In conjunction with our colleagues at Kobe University in Japan, we will collect multiple- epoch, short-cadence photometry on several asteroids to construct light curves and map their three-dimensional features.