Bibcode
de Leon Cruz, J.; Licandro, J.; Serra-Ricart, M.
Bibliographical reference
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #35, #34.07; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 35, p.977
Advertised on:
5
2003
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
In august 2002 we started an observational program to obtain physical
information of a significant number of Near Earth Objects by means of
simultaneous visible and near infrared spectroscopy and
spectrophotometry using telescope facilities of Teide and El Roque de
los Muchachos Observatories (Canary Islands, Spain). Near infrared
spectroscopy is done using the 3.5-m TNG telescope with the NICS
camera-spectrograph and its low resolution Amici prism disperser
(Licandro et al. 2001, A&A 373, 29L). Visible spectroscopy is done
using the 2.5-m NOT telescope with the ALFOSC camera-spectrograph. At
present we have some spectra taken with both telescopes, and 4 nights
schedulled for simultaneous observations next semester. Simultaneous
visible and near-infrared photometry is done using the CCD camera
attached to the 80-cm IAC80 telescope and B,V,R,I filters, and the 1.5-m
Carlos Sanchez Telescope with CAIN camera (Nicmos 256x256 array) and
J,H,K filters. Until this moment we have spent almost 50 nights for the
photometric program, and schedulled 4 nights per month next semester.
Our spectral analysis at visible wavelengths of these objects uses some
of the techniques and taxonomic system developed by Bus (1999, PhD
thesis), studying the presence or absence of specific spectral features
in their reflectance spectra. In addition, near infrared spectra
obtained for a number of NEOs enhances the compositional interpretation
of our sample. Broad band spectrophotometric colors also provide low
resolution spectra that can be compared with taxonomic classes defined
by Tholen (1984, PhD Thesis). We also compare our spectral data with
laboratory measurements of meteorites (Gaffey 1976, JGR 81,905) in order
to stablish a possible link between main belt asteroids, near-Earth
objects and meterorites, and to detect the effects of space weathering
in the surface composition of our objects. A description of the program
and preliminary results is presented.