PurposeThe purpose of this project was to analyze the data from the telescope to verify the relationship between period of rotation and diameter of the asteroids. Below is a graph from a paper by Masiero et. al. 2009 shows the relationship between the period of asteroids and their diameter. As shown in the graph, there is a “shelf” above which we do not see asteroids. This means that there is a relationship between asteroid size and rotation speed; a large asteroid can only spin so fast before the structure becomes compromised and the object breaks apart. Our goal is to recreate the graph from Masiero et. Al. with more data points so that a better understanding of the period-diameter relationship can be determined.

PurposeThe purpose of this project was to analyze the data from the telescope to verify the relationship between period of rotation and diameter of the asteroids. Below is a graph from a paper by Masiero et. al. 2009 shows the relationship between the period of asteroids and their diameter. As shown in the graph, there is a “shelf” above which we do not see asteroids. This means that there is a relationship between asteroid size and rotation speed; a large asteroid can only spin so fast before the structure becomes compromised and the object breaks apart. Our goal is to recreate the graph from Masiero et. Al. with more data points so that a better understanding of the period-diameter relationship can be determined.

Introduction

The Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) is an astronomy project located at CalTech in California that is centered around the P48 telescope. It consists of a 48 arc-second field of view and 11 working CCD chips at a resolution of 1 arc-second per pixel. The data collected consists of both numerical catalogs and images. The collected data can be used to detect non-static objects such as asteroids.

Introduction

The Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) is an astronomy project located at CalTech in California that is centered around the P48 telescope. It consists of a 48 arc-second field of view and 11 working CCD chips at a resolution of 1 arc-second per pixel. The data collected consists of both numerical catalogs and images. The collected data can be used to detect non-static objects such as asteroids.

Examining the Relationship Between Period vs. Diameter of Asteroids

Examining the Relationship Between Period vs. Diameter of Asteroids

Nicholas Powers and Anthony SmithSUNY Oswego / National Central UniversityNicholas Powers and Anthony SmithSUNY Oswego / National Central University

References“The Thousand Asteroid Light Curve Survey” Masiero et. Al. 2009

References“The Thousand Asteroid Light Curve Survey” Masiero et. Al. 2009

Conclusion

After six weeks of work learning python and writing the program, we have analyzed and produced a graph for one data set. In the future, the programs written can be used to analyze large volumes of data such that a more densely populated graph can be created and compared to the Masier et. Al. paper.

Conclusion

After six weeks of work learning python and writing the program, we have analyzed and produced a graph for one data set. In the future, the programs written can be used to analyze large volumes of data such that a more densely populated graph can be created and compared to the Masier et. Al. paper.

DiscussionDiscussionMethods Read in data from the PTF (figure 2)

Sorted the objects between moving and stationary between separate catalogs (figure 3)

Read in data from the Minor Planet Center (MPC) for the corresponding dates collected from the PTF

Compared the PTF moving objects to the known objects of the MPC data.

Output files for each matching object.

Used a python module to analyze files and output light curves and data about the period. (figure 4)

After determining acceptable objects, used the MPC database to gather information necessary to calculate approximate object diameter.

Methods Read in data from the PTF (figure 2)

Sorted the objects between moving and stationary between separate catalogs (figure 3)

Read in data from the Minor Planet Center (MPC) for the corresponding dates collected from the PTF

Compared the PTF moving objects to the known objects of the MPC data.

Output files for each matching object.

Used a python module to analyze files and output light curves and data about the period. (figure 4)

After determining acceptable objects, used the MPC database to gather information necessary to calculate approximate object diameter.

Figure 2 – Graph of all objects in one catalogFigure 2 – Graph of all objects in one catalog

Figure 3 – Moving objects for one catalogFigure 3 – Moving objects for one catalog

The output graph shows that, when laid over the Masiero et. Al. figure, our confirmed objects fall below the spin barrier as expected. Due to the large amount of errors, many known objects could not be used for our particular data set but as more data is analyzed, more objects will be recognized and graphed.

Results

Once the period and diameter were determined for the acceptable objects, a graph of the two was created (figure 5). The axis of the graph were set to be the same as those in the graph of the Masiero et. Al. paper such that a comparison could be made. (figure 6)

R.A.

Dec

Figure 1 – Graph by Masiero et. Al.Figure 1 – Graph by Masiero et. Al.

R.A.

Dec

Figure 4 – Lightcurve outputFigure 4 – Lightcurve output

Figure 5 – Final ResultsFigure 5 – Final Results

Figure 6 – Final graph (light blue points) over Masiero et. Al.Figure 6 – Final graph (light blue points) over Masiero et. Al.

AcknowledgementsOffice of International Programs, SUNY OswegoDr. Shashi M. KanburDr. Wing-Huen Ip and Chan-Kao “Rex” ChangNational Central University Graduate institute of Astronomy, Jhongli, Taiwan National Science Foundation's Office of International Science and Engineering award number 1065093Office of International Programs, NCU

AcknowledgementsOffice of International Programs, SUNY OswegoDr. Shashi M. KanburDr. Wing-Huen Ip and Chan-Kao “Rex” ChangNational Central University Graduate institute of Astronomy, Jhongli, Taiwan National Science Foundation's Office of International Science and Engineering award number 1065093Office of International Programs, NCU