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M.W. Busch, L.A.M. Benner, S.J. Ostro, J.D. Giorgini, R.F. Jurgens (JPL/CalTech), C. Magri (Dept. of Physics, U. Maine), P. Pravec (Czech Academy of Science, Astronomical Institute)
We estimate asteroid 1992 SK's shape from delay-Doppler images and (Doppler-only) echo spectra obtained during March 22-27, 1999 at Goldstone. The images are not very strong and span only ~15 degrees of sky motion, but place up to 20 (40 m by 160 m) pixels on the asteroid. The spectra span ~30 degrees of sky motion, providing additional geometric leverage to constrain the pole direction. The variation in radar cross-section and echo bandwidth is consistent with the 7.3 hour rotation period obtained from lightcurves. Our analysis establishes that the radar tracks are confined to subradar latitudes between 20-40 degrees, but have complete rotational phase coverage. The asteroid is ~1.3 km in maximum extent and slightly asymmetric, with an elongation of ~1.3.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: busch@caltech.edu
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.