Precise astrometry and diameters of asteroids from occultations -- a data-set of observations and their interpretation

David Herald; David Gault; Robert Anderson; David Dunham; Eric Frappa; Tsutomu Hayamizu; Steve Kerr; Kazuhisa Miyashita; John Moore; Hristo Pavlov; Steve Preston; John Talbot; Brad Timerson

doi:10.1093/mnras/staa3077

arXiv · 2010.06086

Precise astrometry and diameters of asteroids from occultations -- a data-set of observations and their interpretation

David Herald·David Gault·Robert Anderson·David Dunham·Eric Frappa·Tsutomu Hayamizu·Steve Kerr·Kazuhisa Miyashita·John Moore·Hristo Pavlov·Steve Preston·John Talbot·Brad Timerson

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Abstract

Occultations of stars by asteroids have been observed since 1961, increasing from a very small number to now over 500 annually. We have created and regularly maintain a growing data-set of more than 5,000 observed asteroidal occultations. The data-set includes: the raw observations; astrometry at the 1 mas level based on centre of mass or figure (not illumination); where possible the asteroid's diameter to 5 km or better, and fits to shape models; the separation and diameters of asteroidal satellites; and double star discoveries with typical separations being in the tens of mas or less. The data-set is published at NASA's Planetary Data System and is regularly updated. We provide here an overview of the data-set, discuss the issues associated with determining the astrometry and diameters, and give examples of what can be derived from the data-set. We also compare the occultation diameters of asteroids with the diameters measured by the satellites NEOWISE, AKARI AcuA, and IRAS, and show that the best satellite-determined diameter is a combination of the diameters from all three satellites.

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David Herald, David Gault, Robert Anderson, David Dunham, Eric Frappa, Tsutomu Hayamizu, Steve Kerr, Kazuhisa Miyashita, John Moore, Hristo Pavlov, Steve Preston, John Talbot, Brad Timerson. 2020-10-13. Precise astrometry and diameters of asteroids from occultations -- a data-set of observations and their interpretation. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras%2Fstaa3077

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