Asteroid Lightcurve Research at PDO
The primary work at the Palmer Divide Observatory is to determine the lightcurve
parameters of as many asteroids as possible. Special concentration is giving to the
Hungaria group, which are inner main belt asteroids with high albedo. This allows working,
presumably, smaller asteroids and so extending the statistical sampling to include a
wider range of asteroid sizes.
Generally, a given asteroid is worked only until a reasonably accurate set of
parameters (±0.005-0.01h and ±0.02m) is determined for a given lunation. On occasion,
more detailed work is performed at the request of other researches who are attempting to
refine or remove ambiguity from previously established parameters.
Click here for a description of the equipment,
software, and program outline/methods.
Asteroid Lightcurves to Date
The plots presented here are for reference. In most cases, publication has been made,
or is pending, in the the Minor Planet Bulletin. If you use this data for
research, presentation, etc., please be sure to give proper credit. Thanks.
Plots and data
copyright (c) (1999-2009) by Brian D. Warner.
