Photometric Constraints on Activity of Centaur 174P/Echeclus from 2021 Through 2024
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We present results from an observing campaign focused on monitoring the dust coma of centaur 174P/Echeclus using the 8.1 m Gemini North and South telescopes. Six epochs of imaging data were acquired from 2021 November through 2024 February. No conspicuous dust coma was detected in the imaging data. The images were used for upper-limit dust production rate estimates, nucleus color measurements, and nucleus size estimates. The weighted mean nucleus colors are ( g ′ − r ′ ) = 0.64 ± 0.03 and ( r ′ − i ′ ) = 0.27 ± 0.03 , where the uncertainties provided are the standard deviations of the individual color measurements. The colors are consistent with the gray/neutral centaur population and indicate no appreciable color evolution or rotational variation observed. We estimate the effective nucleus diameter to be 66.8 ± 2.0 km, which is consistent with previous reports, further supporting the assessment of no dust coma being present.
Source: Research Notes of the AAS
Authors: Aren C. Beck, Charles A. Schambeau, Seamus Walker, Yanga Fernandez
Institution: University of Central Florida
Language: English
Topic: Astro and Planetary Science
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4415224825