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Asteroid Polarimetric Phase Behavior in the Near-infrared: S- and C-complex Objects

April 2022 • 2022PSJ.....3...90M

Authors • Masiero, Joseph R. • Tinyanont, S. • Millar-Blanchaer, Maxwell A.

Abstract • We present the first results of our survey of asteroid polarization phase curves in the near-infrared J and H bands using the WIRC+Pol instrument on the Palomar 200-inch telescope. We confirm through observations of standard stars that WIRC+Pol can reach the 0.1% precision needed for asteroid phase curve characterization, and we show that C-complex asteroids could act as an alternate calibration source, as they show less wavelength variation than stellar polarized standards. Initial polarization phase curve results for S-complex asteroids show a shift in behavior as a function of wavelength from visible to near-infrared bands, extending previously observed trends. Full near-infrared polarization phase curve characterization of individual asteroids will provide a unique constraint on surface composition of these objects by probing the wavelength dependence of albedo and index of refraction of the surface material.

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Joe Masiero

Associate Scientist