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arXiv · 2203.15790

Asteroid Polarimetric-Phase Behavior in the Near-Infrared: S- and C-Complex Objects

Joseph R. Masiero·S. Tinyanont·Maxwell A. Millar-Blanchaer
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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 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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Joseph R. Masiero, S. Tinyanont, Maxwell A. Millar-Blanchaer. 2022-03-29. Asteroid Polarimetric-Phase Behavior in the Near-Infrared: S- and C-Complex Objects. https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.15790

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