The Asteroid Rotation Period Survey Using the China Near-Earth Object Survey Telescope (CNEOST)

Ting Shuo Yeh, Bin Li, Chan Kao Chang, Hai Bin Zhao, Jiang Hui Ji, Zhong Yi Lin, Wing Huen Ip

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4 Scopus citations

Abstract

We initiated the bilateral collaboration between the Lulin Observatory and the Purple Mountain Observatory to collect asteroid lightcurves using the Chinese Near-Earth Object Survey Telescope at the Xuyi Observation Station. The primary goal of this collaboration was to discover super-fast rotators (SFRs) and study their physical properties. Two campaigns have been conducted: (a) a survey of ∼45 deg2 using 8 minute cadence during 2017 February 26-March 2, and (b) a survey of ∼60 deg2 using 10 minute cadence during 2018 March 9-12. Our samples are mainly main-belt asteroids and some Hildas and Jupiter Trojans. Out of 4522 collected lightcurves, 506 reliable rotation periods were obtained. Among the reliable rotation periods, we found 16 candidates with a possible rotation period of <2.2 hr, in which (134291) 2006 DZ6 shows a very convincing folded lightcurve and the other 15 candidates only have a likely trend. Further confirmation is needed for the rotation periods of these SFR candidates. In addition, (2280) Kunikov seems to have an eclipsing feature on its lightcurve with a relatively long rotation period suggesting that it is likely a fully synchronized binary asteroid. When the preliminary spin-rate distributions were carried out for asteroids using different sizes, no obvious difference was found.

Original languageEnglish
Article number73
JournalAstronomical Journal
Volume160
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2020

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