NSF Award
1009989
The Principal Investigator and collaborators will carry out an observational program to obtain very high resolution imaging of main belt, near-Earth, and Trojan asteroids, using adaptive optics (AO) systems on 8- and 10-meter telescopes. The objectives of this program are to (1) search for binary asteroids and obtain orbits for newly discovered and known binaries; and to (2) obtain sizes, shapes, albedos, and rotation poles (spin axis directions) for roughly 25 large main-belt asteroids through repeated imaging that resolves the objects themselves. They will also coordinate and carry out observations of stellar occultation events, and use software that they have developed to simultaneously fit the imaging, occultation, and available light-curve data. By pushing the current limits of adaptive optics, this work will contribute to improvement of AO technology. The investigators will also endeavor to include non-professional astronomers in their occultation observations, and will conduct outreach activities including public presentations and preparation of exhibit materials for the Onizuka Science Center in Kona, Hawaii.
