arXiv subjects

Oleksandra Ivanova

Publications and source records attributed to Oleksandra Ivanova.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Inbound Gas and Dust Evolution of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS from Optical Spectroscopy and Multi-band Photometry

Interstellar objects (ISOs) provide direct constraints on the composition and evolution of extrasolar planetary systems. As the third confirmed ISO, comet 3I/ATLAS offers a rare opportunity to study pristine material from another star system. We present a systematic multi-band monitoring campaign conducted from 2025 July to September. To minimize systematic uncertainties, we utilized a homogeneous dataset of SDSS $g', r', i', z_s$ and Johnson-Cousins $BVR$ imaging obtained with MuSCAT3/4 on the 2.0-m Faulkes Telescopes and the 1.5-m Maidanak telescope. We employed a novel multi-aperture technique providing a robust, distance-independent characterization of the coma, alongside optical spectroscopy from SALT and the Nordic Optical Telescope. 3I/ATLAS exhibited a stable reddish color with no significant secular variation during its inbound journey. Spectroscopic analysis reveals carbon-chain depletion, with CN as the only prominent molecular emission. Coma morphology, analyzed via azimuthal averaging and rotational gradient filters, shows a persistent sunward jet at a position angle of $\sim$280$^{\circ}$, indicating sustained and localized outgassing from a high-latitude active region. Light-scattering modeling demonstrates that the observed colors and polarization are consistent with dense aggregates of organic matter and silicate minerals, while water ice sublimation remained insufficient to alter the optical properties. The stability of the coma structures and the homogeneous nature of our dataset indicate that 3I/ATLAS underwent a steady activation phase, preserving a volatile-rich but carbon-chain-poor composition. This characterization points to an object formed in a distinct protoplanetary environment and provides a definitive record of its pre-perihelion evolution.

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arXiv2026

Dust, gas activity and morphology of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks at heliocentric distances beyond 1.1 au

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is a periodic comet with an orbital period of approximately 71 years. Because of the period duration, aphelion of 35.3 au, and highly inclined orbit (74.2 deg), it is classified as a Halley-type comet. In this work, we present the results of the analysis of photometric and spectral observations of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks while it was at a heliocentric distance beyond 1.1 au, before perihelion passage. Quasisynchronous observations were carried out from July 2023 to March 2024 using 0.61-m and 1.3-m telescopes at the Skalnaté Pleso Observatory, 1-m telescope Zeiss-1000 Sanglokh International Astronomical Observatory, and 0.7-m telescope AZT8 at the observation station of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Photometric observations were conducted using B, V, and R filters of the Johnson-Cousins and Bessel photometric systems. We completed our data collection with broadband photometric and spectral observations on the 2-m HCT telescope at the Indian Astronomical Observatory. During this period, the dust coma morphology and photometric data measured in the R filter, such as the apparent, absolute magnitudes and dust activity level, indicate several repeated outbursts in brightness and dust activity occurred around July 22, September 25, October 17-23, and a significant outburst was recorded on November 1-7. We detected strong gas emission features in the cometary spectrum belonging to CN, C2, and C3 molecules. Furthermore, gas production rates of these molecules were estimated using Haser's model. A comparison of dust activity level and CN gas production rate shows that dust activity increased significantly as the comet approached the Sun, while gas activity exhibited more moderate changes.

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arXiv2025

A comprehensive study of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in the 2021/2022 apparition. I. Photometry, spectroscopy, morphology

We present observations of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during its 2021/22 apparition, aiming to investigate its dust and gas environment and compare the results with those obtained in 2015/16 using the same telescope. Quasi-simultaneous photometric, spectroscopic, and polarimetric observations were carried out at the 6-m BTA SAO telescope. The comet was observed on 6 October 2021, 31 days before perihelion, with \textit{g}-SDSS and \textit{r}-SDSS filters, and on 6 February 2022, 96 days after perihelion, using narrowband cometary filters: BC ($\lambda4450/62$~Å), RC ($\lambda6839/96$~Å), and CN ($\lambda3870/58$~Å). These were complemented by images from the 2-m Liverpool Telescope (La Palma). On 6 October 2021, a sunward jet and long dust tail were detected. By 6 February 2022, the dust coma morphology had changed noticeably, revealing a bright sunward neckline structure superimposed on the projected dust tail, along with two jets at position angles of 133$^{\circ}$ and 193$^{\circ}$. Spectra showed strong CN emission, with relatively weak C$_2$, C$_3$ and NH$_2$ emissions. The dust production rate $Afρ$ did not exceed 200~cm (uncorrected for phase angle) in both epochs. An unusual CN coma morphology was observed, with evidence of an additional CN source associated with dust jets. Geometric modeling of the jets' dynamics indicated an active area at latitude $-70^{\circ} \pm 4^{\circ}$ with a jet opening angle of $20^{\circ} \pm 6^{\circ}$ on 6 October 2021, and two active areas at latitudes $-58^{\circ} \pm 5^{\circ}$ and $-53^{\circ} \pm 10^{\circ}$, separated by longitude $150^{\circ} \pm 20^{\circ}$, producing the observed jets on 6 February 2022. The average particle velocity in the jets was about $0.32 \pm 0.04$~km~s$^{-1}$.

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arXiv2025

Contact binary asteroid (153201) 2000 WO107: rotation, shape model, and density

We combine different methods to investigate the rotation, determine the shape and estimate the density of near-Earth asteroid (153201) 2000 WO$_{107}$. We carried out photometric observations of the asteroid during the 2020 apparition. Then we created a program able to simulate the lightcurves, and used it within a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm to reconstruct the asteroid shape model from the observational data. The Goldstone radar observations of the asteroid were used as an additional constraint on the asteroid model in the MCMC algorithm. The estimated shape and rotation rate of the contact binary were used to compute its density. The photometric observations of (153201) 2000 WO$_{107}$ obtained at a wide range of the phase angles from 5 to 68 degrees in the time interval November 28 -- December 8, 2020, show lightcurves typical for contact binary asteroids, which agrees with the results of the radar data. The lightcurves have a maximum amplitude of up to 1.24 mag. The best-fit modelled shape of the asteroid is composed of two ellipsoidal lobes with the axes $0.68\times 0.38 \times 0.36$ km and $0.44 \times 0.42 \times 0.16$ km. Its sidereal rotation period is determined to be $5.017\pm 0.002$ hr. The most probable solution for the angular velocity vector of the asteroid points at the ecliptic coordinates $λ=96^\circ \pm 8^\circ$ and $β=-78^\circ \pm 1^\circ$, whereas another less probable solution around $λ=286^\circ \pm 11 ^\circ$, $β=-76^\circ \pm 2 ^\circ$ cannot be disregarded. The estimated density of the asteroid $ρ=4.80^{+0.34}_{-0.63}$ g/cm$^3$ is consistent with its possible metallic composition. From the orbital simulation of this potentially hazardous asteroid, we find that its integral probability of colliding with the Earth in the next 10,000 years is $7\cdot 10^{-5}.$

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arXiv2025

Volatiles

Small bodies are the remnant building blocks from the time when the planets formed and migrated to their current positions. Their volatile composition and relative abundances serve as time capsules for the formation conditions in the protosolar nebula. By constraining the volatile composition of Centaurs, we can fill in important gaps in understanding the history of our solar system. We review here the state of knowledge for volatiles in small bodies, processes that influence volatile composition and activity in small bodies, and future capabilities that can be leveraged to advance our understanding of volatiles in Centaurs.

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arXiv2024

Photometry of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 in 2012-2019

The analysis of photometrical observations of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 is presented. The broadband observations were carried out for 15 nights from 2012 to 2019 at the Lisnyky observational station of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Apparent magnitudes and dust productivity level $Afρ$ in filter R were calculated. Middle and height dust activity of the comet is characterized by parameter $Afρ$ which varied from 1246 to 17563 cm during all periods of observation. Based on the morphological analysis, four jet-like structures were detected in the coma on almost all dates. Using the geometrical model for the jet structure interpretation during all observation sets, we obtained following results: the nucleus rotation periodof 57\pm2 days, the rotational axis orientation, the locations of active regions for four jet-like structures within a narrow belt near the equator.

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arXiv2023

Long-lasting activity of asteroid (248370) 2005 QN 173

We present the results of observations of asteroid (248370) QN$_{173}$ obtained during July 2021 - January 2022 with three telescopes. Our analysis revealed the presence of the dust tail for about half of a year. The direct images of the asteroid were obtained with broad-band filters. No emissions were revealed in the spectra, and the spectrum of the asteroid closely matched that of a C-type asteroid. Created color and linear polarization variations along the tail were analyzed. The asteroid demonstrated a redder color compared to the Sun. Dramatic changes in dust productivity obtained in different filters were not detected. The $g-r$ color changes from $0.2^{m}$ to $0.7^{m}$ over the coma, and the linear polarization degree varies from about $1.2$\% to $0.2$\% and from $-0.2$\% to $-1.5$\% at the phase angle of $23.2^{\circ}$ and $8.16^{\circ}$. The total dust mass ejected until the latest observation on October 10 is $4.2 \times 10^7$~kg, with a maximum rate of 2.6~kg\,s$^{-1}$ based on the Monte Carlo modeling of the dust tail. The estimated asteroid size is 1.3~km. It is shown that large particles are concentrated around the nucleus, whereas smaller ones dominate in the tail. The evolution of (248370) QN$_{173}$ orbit and the orbits of the sample of the 464 short-periodic comets were followed. Ten of them approached the asteroid's orbit. These objects are not genetically related, despite the very close distance of their orbits for a relatively long time.

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arXiv2021

Photometry and Long-Slit Spectroscopy of Split Comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS)

We present an analysis of the photometric and spectroscopic observations of the split comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS). Observations were carried out on the 14th and 16th of April 2020 when the heliocentric distances of the comet were 1.212 and 1.174 au, its geocentric distances 0.998 and 0.991 au, and the phase angle 52.9° and 54.5°, respectively. The comet was observed with the 6-m BTA telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russia) with the SCORPIO-2 multi-mode focal reducer. The narrow-band BC and RC cometary filters in the continuum were used. We identified numerous emissions of the CN, C2, C3, and NH2 molecules within the range of 3750-7100 Å. The C2/CN and C3/CN production rate ratios coincide with those of typical comets. Four fragments belonging to the coma were detected in both observational runs. We compared and analyzed temporal variations of the visual magnitudes, gas productivity, and dust colour. Based on our dynamical investigation of the orbits of comets C/1844 Y1 (Great comet) and C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS), we can claim that, with high probability, two comets do not have a common progenitor.

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arXiv2021

Observations of the long-lasting activity of the distant Comets 29P Schwassmann-Wachmann 1, C/2003 WT42 (LINEAR) and C/2002 VQ94 (LINEAR)

We investigated three comets, which are active at large heliocentric distances, using observations obtained at the 6-m BTA telescope (SAO RAS, Russia) in the photometric mode of the focal reducer SCORPIO. The three comets, 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1, C/2003 WT42 (LINEAR), and C/2002 VQ94 (LINEAR), were observed after their perihelion passages at heliocentric distances between 5.5 and 7.08 AU. The dust production rates in terms of Afrho was measured for these comets. Using the retrieved values, an average dust production rate was derived under different model assumptions. A tentative calculation of the total mass loss of the comet nucleus within a certain observation period was executed. We calculated the corresponding thickness of the depleted uppermost layer where high-volatile ices completely sublimated. The results obtained in our study strongly support the idea that the observed activity of Comet SW1 requires a permanent demolition of the upper surface layers.

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arXiv2021

Polarimetry, photometry, and spectroscopy of comet C/2009 P1(Garradd)

We present the results of photometry, linear spectropolarimetry, and imaging circular polarimetry ofcomet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) performed at the 6-m telescope BTA of the Special Astrophysical Observatory(Russia) equipped by the multi-mode focal reducer SCORPIO-2. The comet was observed at two epochspost-perihelion: on February 2-14, 2012 at r=1.6 au and α=36 °; and on April 14-21, 2012 at r=2.2 au and α=27 deg. The spatial maps of the relative intensity and circular polarization as well as the spectral distribution of linear polarization are presented. There were two features (dust and gas tails) orientedin the solar and antisolar directions on February 2 and 14 that allowed us to determine rotation periodof the nucleus as 11.1 hours. We detected emissions of C2 , C3 , CN, CH, NH2 molecules as well as CO+ and H2O+ ions, along with a high level of the dust continuum. On February 2, the degree of linear polarization in the continuum, within the wavelength range of 0.67-0.68 μm, was about 5% in the near-nucleus region up to near 6000 km and decreased to about 3% at near 40,000 km. The left-handed (negative) circular polarization at the level approximately from -0.06% to -0.4% was observed at the distances up to 3*10^4 km from the nucleus on February 14 and April 21, respectively.

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arXiv2021

Distant Jupiter family Comet P/2011 P1 (McNaught)

The spectra and images obtained through broadband BVR filters for Jupiter famaly comet P/2011 P1 were analyzed. We observed the comet on November 24, 2011, when its heliocentric distance was 5.43 AU. Two dimensional long slit spectra and photometric images were obtained using the focal reducer SCORPIO attached to the prime focus of the 6-m telescope BTA (SAO RAS, Russia). The spectra cover the wavelength range of 4200-7000 Å. No emissions of C2 and CO+, which are expected in this wavelength region, were detected above 3 sigma level. An upper limit in gas production rate of C2 is expected to be 1.1*10^24 mol*s^-1. The continuum shows a reddening effect with the normalized gradient of reflectivity along dispersion of 5.1% per 1000 Å. The color indices (B-V)=0.89 and (V-R) = 0.42 for the nucleus region or (B-V)=0.68 and (V-R)=0.39 for the coma region, which are derived from the photometric data, also evidence that the color of the cometary nucleus and dust are redder with respect to the Sun. The dust coma like a spiral galaxy adge on was fitted using a Monte Carlo model.

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arXiv2021

Comet 2P/Encke in apparitions of 2013 and 2017: I. Imaging photometry and long-slit spectroscopy

We present the results of imaging photometric and long-slit spectroscopic observations of comet 2P/Encke performed at the heliocentric distance 0.56 au, geocentric distance 0.65 au, and phase angle 109.2 deg on November 4, 2013 and at 1.05 au, 1.34 au, and 46.8 deg on January 23, 2017. Observations were carried out at the 6-m BTA telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russia) with the multimode focal reducer SCORPIO-2. In 2013, the direct images of comet Encke were obtained with the broad-band V filters, whereas in 2017 the narrow-band cometary BC, RC, and NH2 filters as well as the medium-band SED500 and broad-band r-sdss filters were used for observations. About 60 emissions belonging to the CN, C2, C3, NH2, CH, and CO+ molecules were identified within the range 3750-7100 Å. The ratios of the production rates C2/CN and C3/CN correspond to the typical comets, not depleted in the carbon-chain. A complex structure of the coma was detected in both observational periods. In January 2017, the dust was in general concentrated near the nucleus, the dust/gas ratio was 2.9 in the r-sdss filter, however, this ratio was larger than 1 at distances 3000-40000 km from the nucleus. We found that about 75% of the flux of the reflected light in the central pixel was due to the nucleus, whereas the nucleus's flux contributed 48% in the total intensity of the 2000 km area of the coma. We found that after correction for the dust coma contamination the nucleus magnitude is 18.8m+/-0.2m.

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arXiv2021

Comet 2P/Encke in apparition of 2017: II. Polarization and color

We present results of imaging polarimetry of comet 2P/Encke performed on January 23, 2017 at the heliocentric (1.052 au) and geocentric (1.336 au) distances and phase angle 46.8 deg, 46 days before perihelion. Observations were made through the medium-band SED500 (λ5019/246 Å) and broadband r-sdss (λ6200/1200 Å) filters with the multimode focal reducer SCORPIO-2 at the 6-m BTA telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russia). Dust in comet 2P/Encke was mainly concentrated in the near-nucleus region of the coma: the maximum dust/gas ratios were 1.5 and 2.9 in the SED500 and the r-sdss filters near the nucleus but dropped sharply to ~0.2 and ~1 at the distance ~2500 km, respectively. Then these ratios began to increase at distances ~12000 km from the nucleus, the ratio was ~0.3 (SED500) and ~1.3 (r-sdds). There were significant variations of polarization over the coma, which correlated with the variations in the dust color and dust/gas ratio. Changes in polarization and color across the 2P/Encke coma indicate changes in physical properties of the dust particles with the distance from the nucleus. Our Sh-matrix computer simulations of light scattering by Gaussian particles allow us to suggest that the observed trends in color and polarization are mainly result from changing particle size.

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arXiv2020

Activity of (6478) Gault during January 13 - March 28, 2019

We present the results of photometric observations of active asteroid (6478) Gault performed at heliocentric distances from 2.46 to 2.30 au and geocentric distances from 1.79 to 1.42 au between January 15 and March 28, 2019. Observations were carried out at the 2.5-m telescope of SAI MSU (CMO) on January 15, 2019 and at the 1.3-m and 0.61-m telescopes (SPb) on February 6 and March 28, 2019, respectively. The direct images of the asteroid were obtained with the broad-band B, V and R filters. Comet-like structures were detected at all observation dates. Colour maps were built and colour variations along the tail for the observation made on January 15, 2019 were analyzed. The $Afρ$ was calculated for the R filter, The evaluated value varies from 47 to 32 cm for the period from January to the end of March, 2019. The rotational period of the body is estimated from the light curve by different methods and is about 1.79 hr. Possible mechanisms of triggering Gault's activity are discussed.

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arXiv2019

Rapid variations of dust colour in comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák

We monitor the inner coma of comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák searching for variations of its colour. Fast changes in colour of the comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák provide important clues for better understanding of the microphysical properties of its dust. Using the 61-cm and 70-cm telescopes we measured the apparent magnitude of the comet with the V and R Johnson-Cousins filters from January 29 until April 25 of 2017. The inner coma ({\sim} 2000 km) reveals fast and significant variations of colour. The most significant change was found between March 3 and 4 of 2017, when it changed from blue with a colour slope S {\approx}(-10.15 {\pm} 3.43){\%} per 0.1 μm to red with S {\approx} (16.48 {\pm} 4.27){\%} per 0.1 μm. This finding appears in good accordance with what was previously reported by Ivanova et al. (2017) for long-period comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina), suggesting that fast and significant variations of colour of dust could be a common feature of short- and long-period comets. We model observations of comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák using the agglomerated debris particles and conclude that its inner coma consists of a mixture of at least two types of particles made of Mg-rich silicates and organics or Mg-Fe silicates.

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arXiv2019

Photometry, spectroscopy, and polarimetry of distant comet C/2014 A4 (SONEAR)

We analyze the dust environment of the distant comet C/2014 A4 (SONEAR), with a perihelion distance near 4.1~au, using comprehensive observations obtained by different methods. We present an analysis of spectroscopy, photometry, and polarimetry of comet C/2014 A4 (SONEAR), which were performed on November 5~--~7, 2015, when its heliocentric distance was 4.2~au and phase angle was 4.7$^\circ$. Long-slit spectra and photometric and linear polarimetric images were obtained using the focal reducer SCORPIO-2 attached to the prime focus of the 6-m telescope BTA (SAO RAS, Russia). We simulated the behavior of color and polarization in the coma presenting the cometary dust as a set of polydisperse polyshapes rough spheroids. No emissions were detected in the 3800~--~7200~$Å$ wavelength range. The continuum showed a reddening effect with the normalized gradient of reflectivity 21.6$\pm$0.2\% per 1000~$Å$ within the 4650~--~6200~$Å$ wavelength region. The fan-like structure in the sunward hemisphere was detected. The radial profiles of surface brightness differ for r-sdss and g-sdss filters, indicating predominance of submicron and micron-sized particles in cometary coma. The dust color (g--r) varies from 0.75$ \pm $0.05$^m$ to 0.45$ \pm $0.06$^m$ along the tail. For aperture radius near 20~000~km, the dust productions in various filters were estimated as $Afρ$~=~680$\pm$18~cm (r-sdss) and 887$ \pm $16~cm (g-sdss). The polarization map showed spatial variations of polarization over the coma from about --3\% near the nucleus to --8\% at cometocentric distance about 150~000~km. Our simulations show that the dust particles were dominated (or covered) by ice and tholin-like organics. Spatial changes in the color and polarization can be explained by particle fragmentation.

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arXiv2018

The optical characteristics of the dust of sungrazing comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) observed at large heliocentric distances

We present an analysis of the photometric and spectroscopic data of the comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) observed at the heliocentric distances of 6.21÷4.81 AU. The photometric observations were made with the 60-cm Zeiss-600 telescope (ICAMER, peak Terskol, Russia) and the spectroscopic observations were performed using the SCORPIO-2 focal reducer mounted in the prime focus of the 6-m BTA telescope (SAO RAS, Russia). We analyse the B, V and R-band images to describe the dusty cometary coma and to investigate its brightness, colours and dust production rate. The spectra cover the wavelength range of 3600÷7070 Å. No emissions which are expected in this wavelength region were detected above the 3$σ$ level. The continuum shows a reddening effect with the normalized gradient of reflectivity along dispersion of (9.3$\pm$1.1)% per 1000 Å. A dust-loss rate was derived using the obtained values and under the different model assumptions. Our simulations clearly indicate that to retrieve dust production from the observational Af$ρ$ parameter is an ambiguous task. The result of such a procedure is strongly dependent on dynamical (e.g. effective density and cross-section) as well as optical (e.g. scattering coefficient and phase function) characteristics of dust grains. A variation of the mentioned parameters can lead to dramatic changes in the evaluation of mass production. We demonstrate that the dynamic and optical properties are interconnected via the microscopic properties of dust grains (effective size and porosity).

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arXiv2017

Color variations of Comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina)

We report observations of color in the inner coma of Comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina) with the broadband B and R filters. We find significant temporal variations of the color slope, ranging from -12.67 $\pm$ 8.16 \% per 0.1~$μ$m up to $35.09 \pm 11.7$ \% per 0.1~$μ$m.It is significant that the comet changes color from red to blue over only a two-day period. Such dispersion cannot be characterized with an average color slope. We also observe Comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina) in infrared using Spitzer and find no significant CO/CO$_{2}$ gaseous species in its coma. Therefore, we classify Comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina) as a dust-rich comet and attribute the measured color slope to its dust. We analyze the color slope using the model of agglomerated debris particles and conclude that the C/2013 UQ4 coma was chemically heterogeneous, consisting of at least two components. The first component producing the bluest color is consistent with Mg-rich silicates. There are three different options for the second component producing the reddest color. This color is consistent with either Mg-Fe silicates, kerogen type II, or organic matter processed with a low dose of UV radiation.

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