Physical Characteristics of Small Space Objects at High Orbits Based on Optical Methods

• Main Authors: Afaf M. Abd El-Hameed, Gamal F. Attia, Yehia Abdel-Aziz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Space Science Society (KSSS) 2017-03-01
• Series: Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• Subjects: small debris object; observations; brightness; properties and analysis
• Online Access: http://ocean.kisti.re.kr/downfile/volume/kosss/OJOOBS/2017/v34n1/OJOOBS_2017_v34n1_31.pdf

Optical observation is one of the most common techniques used for characterizing the physical properties of unknown objects and debris in space. This research presents measurements and properties of the new object 96019 from ground-based optical methods. Optical observations of this small object were performed using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and the Santel-500 telescope at the Zvenigorod Observatory. The orbital elements and physical properties of this object, such as areato- mass ratio, have been determined. The results show that this small object has a low area-to-mass ratio, between 0.009 and 0.12 m2/kg. The light curve of object 96019 is given: Over the time intervals, variations in brightness are analyzed and the maximum brightness was found to be 12.4 magnitudes. The observational results show that, this object brightens by about three magnitudes over a time span of three minutes. Based on these observations, the characteristics and physical properties of this object are discussed.