And now for a little change of venue. With the obvious exception of “mini-moons” (TCOs and TCFs) asteroid targets are in heliocentric orbits, and often at ranges measured in AUs. Round-trip light time is a few minutes, and it’s unrealistic… Read More »Note, Paper: A-Robot
In Nature Astronomy today (21 Oct.): Matthew A. Pasek, Ryugu’s unexpected phosphorus materials, s41550-024-02387-5 Not only was phosphate in asteroids significant (as I already blogged), but it’s news enough to have the journal Nature bring in an expert to give… Read More »Nature Review Piece- Yes, Nature
Some asteroids are active- shedding mass, like a comet. Bennu is one of them, observed by OSIRIS-REx to be ejecting pebbles to cobbles into space. Now, from the former Soviet, now Russian journal Solar System Research, for October 2024, vol.… Read More »Note, Paper: Activity Ahoy
In the October issue of Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics (vol. 47 #10): Fodde, I. Feng, J. Vasile, M. et al. Design of Robust Ballistic Landings on the Secondary of a Bina… p. 2041 1.G007786Yang, H. Hu, J. Li,… Read More »Note, Paper: Fall is for touchdowns
We’re in an era of infrared astronomy… because we never left. Hot off the ‘presses’ (well, server, actually) is a paper in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific to continue the field. The modern infrared age was marked… Read More »IRTF time, pt. 2- MIRSI me!
In EPSL (Earth and Planetary Science Letters) for Nov 15 (vol. 646): Onyett, I. J. Schiller, M. Stokholm, M. et al. Silicon isotope compositions of chondritic componen… oart. 118985 .2024.118985 We live on Earth, in the inner Solar System. We… Read More »Note, Paper: Earth and Planetary Science LONG Letter
This month’s issue (Oct) of PSJ (Planetary Science Journal) has planetary defense coverage. In vol 5, #10: Masiero, J. R. Linder, T. Mainzer, A. et al. Visual-band Brightnesses of Near-Earth Objects that will be Discovered … p. 222 ad7859 leva, S. Mazotta… Read More »Note, Paper: Bullseye!
Recently, I’ve posted only secondhand on the Vera Rubin Observatory, via its implications and our expectations. It’s time to get caught up on the progress at the Cerro Pachon peak. The dome is practically built; the telescope mount works (with… Read More »Vera Rubin Obs. update, Oct. 2024
I said there was something coming. In the 15 Oct (vol. 251) issue of Planetary and Space Science: Alvaro Alvarez-Candal A. discussion on estimating small bodies taxonomies using phase curve… Article 105970 .105970 At detection, a new asteroid is… detected!… Read More »Note Paper: (minor) Planetary and Space Science
Let’s take a little trip, a trip back to the young Solar System. In the 15 Nov Icarus (vol. 423): Serra, C. Vinogradoff, V. Danger, G. et al. Unexpected mineral impact on organic evolution durin… Art 116273 .2024.116273 Jenniskens, P.… Read More »Note, Paper: Solar System Soil and Seeds