In Planetary and Space Science for Aug (vol. 262):
Chiorny, V. G. Krugly, Y. N. Shevchenko, V. G. et al. Absolute photometry of small main-belt binary asteroids. Physical properties 106118 .2025.106118
Binary asteroids: truly a gift from above. Using Kepler’s Laws, we can use binary asteroids to determine masses, and when the two objects eclipse each other (which will happen at least once per orbit around the Sun), we can get some diameter. Diameter plus mass gives density, and we can start associating compositions with asteroids. What’s more, an asteroid with known, nontrivial mass can be used to gauge the masses of other, passing asteroids, by their mutual tugs on the other. Each additional binary then gets us another piece of the puzzle.
Chiorny et al., then, report their new haul of binaries. Several within the Main Belt have been found, and documented with light curves. Even if the light curve does not capture an eclipse event (parent-satellite alignment), it is important to have a comprehensive baseline dataset, when that eclipse eventually happens. The eclipse photometry must be compared to something, and that’s the non-eclipsing behavior of the asteroid.