Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jun 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004a%26a...420..383o&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.420, p.383-388 (2004)
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
17
Minor Planets, Asteroids
Scientific paper
We report on physical properties of the bright Trans-Neptunian Object 2003 TX300 based on a large set of observations taken in different wavelength ranges. Broad band CCD observations aimed at studying the short-term rotational variability show a low amplitude periodic signal of 7.89 ± 0.03 h. We cannot yet determine whether the lightcurve is single-peaked (i.e. the rotation period would be 7.89 h) or double-peaked (i.e. the actual spin period would be 15.78 h). From a sinusoidal fit, the peak to peak amplitude of the brightness changes is 0.09 ± 0.08 mag. If the brightness changes are due to irregular shape, this amplitude implies a minimum axial ratio of 1.09. BVRI photometry indicates similar colors as other large Kuiper Belt members, with B-V = 0.64 ± 0.04, V-R = 0.40 ± 0.07, and R-I = 0.22 ± 0.05. Thermal observations at 250 GHz (1.2 mm) result in no confident detection of the body, with a measured flux of 0.22 ± 0.51 mJy. Combining all the data and using the same thermophysical model as in Lellouch et al. (\cite{lel02}) we find (at a 3-σ confidence level) a lower limit for the geometric albedo (pv>0.06) and an upper limit for the size of this object (D< 1110 km). A more relaxed 2-σ confidence level implies a diameter D< 907 km and an albedo pv> 0.08, which is significantly higher than the typical 0.04 cometary value and also higher than that of Varuna.
Biver Nicolas
Casanova Victor
Doressoundiram Alain
Gonzalez Delgado Rosa Maria
Gutierrez Pedro J.
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