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[22.04] The Sizes and Albedos of Near-Earth Asteroids, Including 6489 Golevka, from Recent IRTF Observations

M. Mueller, A. W. Harris (DLR, Berlin), M. Delbo (Obs. Turin), S. J. Bus (Univ. Hawaii, Hilo)

We have recently obtained thermal-IR flux measurements of a number of near-Earth asteroids with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF), including the peculiar object 6489 Golevka. The thrust of our work with the IRTF is to test and improve the thermal models used in the interpretation of radiometric data of asteroids. There is a large discrepancy between the radar results of Hudson et al. (2000, Icarus, 148, 37) and the radiometric results of Mottola et al. (1997, Astron. J., 114, 1234) concerning the size and albedo of Golevka. On the basis of our recent observations of this object, and the results of a related on-going program of thermal-IR observations of near-Earth asteroids (see abstract by Harris, Delbo, and Binzel), we provide an explanation for the discrepancy. Our results highlight a serious problem with radiometric size and albedo determinations that do not take adequate account of the asteroid's apparent color temperature. Results from IRTF observations of other near-Earth asteroids are also presented. This work is supported in part by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft).

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: michael.mueller@dlr.de

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35 #4
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.