Work

Single-apparition phase curves from ATLAS survey: photometric parameter determination

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Phase curves, the variations of minor planet brightness with solar phase angle, are fundamental tools for determining physical parameters such as absolute magnitude (H) and slope parameters ($G_{1}, G_{2}$) that constrain surface properties. While targeted observing campaigns provide high-precision phase curves for individual objects, survey data offer the potential to characterize vastly larger samples. However, phase curves from survey data traditionally suffer from systematic effects due to combining observations across multiple apparitions and uncontrolled rotational sampling. We investigate whether single apparition survey data, with appropriate statistical treatment of rotational variations, can achieve characterization level comparable to targeted observations. Using ATLAS survey photometry for 131 taxonomically classified asteroids, we restrict our analysis to single apparitions and validate rotational phase uniformity. Our derived photometric parameters reproduce established correlations from both targeted studies and surveys using sparse data: strong $G_{1}-G_{2}$ anticorrelation, albedo dependencies, and clear taxonomic separation in the $G_{1}, G_{2}$ parameter space. Multi-apparition analysis for nine objects reveals that absolute magnitude H varies with viewing geometry, demonstrating that H is dependent on geometry for irregularly shaped objects rather than an intrinsic value. Slope parameter across several apparitions provides constraints on surface photometric homogeneity. Our methodology enables individual characterization directly from survey data, complementing the high-precision characterization traditionally obtained through targeted observation campaigns.

Source: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stag1156

Authors: J Michimani, E Rondón, P Arcoverde, D Lazzaro

Institution: National Observatory

Language: English

Topic: Astro and Planetary Science

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,046

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, University of Maryland, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro