Triplicity and physical characteristics of Asteroid (216) Kleopatra

P. Descamps, F. Marchis, J. Berthier, J. P. Emery, G. Duchêne, I. de Pater, M. H. Wong, L. Lim, H. B. Hammel, F. Vachier, P. Wiggins, J. P. Teng-Chuen-Yu, A. Peyrot, J. Pollock, M. Assafin, R. Vieira-Martins, J. I.B. Camargo, F. Braga-Ribas, B. Macomber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Scopus citations

Abstract

To take full advantage of the September 2008 opposition passage of the M-type Asteroid (216) Kleopatra, we have used near-infrared adaptive optics (AO) imaging with the W.M. Keck II telescope to capture unprecedented high resolution images of this unusual asteroid. Our AO observations with the W.M. Keck II telescope, combined with Spitzer/IRS spectroscopic observations and past stellar occultations, confirm the value of its IRAS radiometric radius of 67.5km as well as its dog-bone shape suggested by earlier radar observations. Our Keck AO observations revealed the presence of two small satellites in orbit about Kleopatra (see Marchis, F. et al. [2008a]. (3749) Balam. In: Green, D.W.E. (Ed.), IAU Circ. 8928; Marchis, F., Descamps, P., Berthier, J., Emery, J.P. [2008b]. S/2008 ((216)) 1 and S/2008 ((216)) 2. In: Green, D.W.E. (Ed.), IAU Circ. 8980). Accurate measurements of the satellite orbits over a full month enabled us to determine the total mass of the system to be 4.64±0.02×1018kg. This translates into a bulk density of 3.6±0.4g/cm3, which implies a macroscopic porosity for Kleopatra of ∼30-50%, typical of a rubble-pile asteroid. From these physical characteristics we measured its specific angular momentum, very close to that of a spinning equilibrium dumbbell.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1022-1033
Number of pages12
JournalIcarus
Volume211
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adaptive optics
  • Asteroids
  • Orbit determination
  • Photometry
  • Satellites of asteroids

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Triplicity and physical characteristics of Asteroid (216) Kleopatra'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this